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Abstract Evidence Based Librarianship (EBL) seeks for and promotes the improvement of the librarian practice through the use of the best available evidence. Strongly used in medical contexts, Evidence Based Practice can be an important tool for the development of LIS, if practice is carefully thought and wisely combined with research and theoretical reflection. In order to achieve a state of equilibrium between theories and empirical studies, a qualitative method -action research- may be applied, as a dialogue between abstract ideas and the facts and signs provided by concrete experiences. Through action research, librarians can collect the evidence -using a series of qualitative tools- and use it for building theoretical knowledge in order to improve their work and their profession. From this viewpoint, after putting something into practice they will be able to know whether it worked as expected or not, make any change if it is necessary, and test the whole process again, searching more and new evidence. The method becomes a progressive helix that leads librarians to continuously evaluate their activities and services and improve them according of their final users' needs. Fitting these ideas in the general context of "Library 2.0" new LIS model and in the particular situation of Social Sciences libraries, the conference briefly introduces some basic ideas on how action research should be employed for collecting and using evidence in LIS.

"EBLIP is an open access, peer reviewed journal published quarterly by the University of Alberta Learning Services and supported by an international team of editorial advisors. The purpose of the journal is to provide a forum for librarians and other information professionals to discover research that may contribute to decision making in professional practice. EBLIP publishes original research and commentary on the topic of evidence based library and information practice, as well as reviews of previously published research (evidence summaries) on a wide number of topics."

Useful info abt research methods in Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Vol 11, No 1 https://t.co/nqEH798bS8 #LISRAproject

Suzana Sukovic & Bhuva Narayan - Workshop presented at 8th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP8). Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, 6-8 July 2015 | Suzana Sukovic - Academia.edu

This is a link to a paper by Andrew Booth that really helped me when I was studying in my Masters. The paper suggests that the key of successful research is to have a clear and precise question - to know what you're looking for. He starts off with the quote: To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered (John Ruskin). It echoes what Suzana kept asking/saying when we were talking about surveys, and the questions we would ask students - that it all depends on why we wanted to know something.