LRRT (Library Research Round Table)

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The mission of the Library Research Round Table (LRRT) is to contribute toward the extension and improvement of library research; to provide public program opportunities for describing and evaluating library research projects and for disseminating their findings; to inform and educate ALA members concerning research techniques and their usefulness in obtaining information with which to reach administrative decisions and solve problems; and expand the theoretical base of the field. LRRT also, serves as a forum for discussion and action on issues related to the literature and information needs for the field of library and information science.

Learn more about LRRT on the ALA website.

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Shera Research Awards - Calls for nominations & peer reviewers

  • 1.  Shera Research Awards - Calls for nominations & peer reviewers

    Posted 2 hours ago
    Edited by Katie Klein 2 hours ago

    Hello to LIS researchers and readers of LIS research,

    LRRT has two annual awards for LIS research, one for published research and one for dissertations in progress. Now is your opportunity to nominate (by 12/20) or peer review nominations (in January/February).

    Nominations for the Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research are due December 20, 2025. Submit up to two full-text articles along with a cover letter supporting your nomination(s) to this form (https://airtable.com/appci8Tx7Gw7IZOcq/shrBggnugCENmYpq0 Click to follow link." data-outlook-id="43eb0ece-c124-4a40-b34c-ff589609380f" style="color: #800080; text-decoration: underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://airtable.com/appci8Tx7Gw7IZOcq/shrBggnugCENmYpq0). Research articles must have been published during the 2025 calendar year on a topic related to libraries or information science. Scroll down for guidelines.

    Applications for the Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research are also due December 20, 2025. Applicants should have their proposal approved by their committee and currently be working on the dissertation. The application consists of a brief problem statement, summary of design/methodology, and a letter of support from their committee chair. To submit a paper for the 2025 competition, submit 2 copies (one in which your name and any other identifying information has been removed) in PDF format to: the form at https://airtable.com/appfOoS3g17zDD7aF/pag9BugL0p7OAErTl/form Scroll down for guidelines.

    For those who aren't competing for these awards this year, consider volunteering to be a juror for either or both awards. Jurors are assigned several nominations to peer review. Jurors complete a rubric to score each assigned submission. Jurors have several weeks to read and review in early 2026. Scores are compiled to determine a winner for each award. By December 1, please email Katie Klein (katherine.klein@unt.edu) indicating which award you are interested in reviewing. We appreciate your volunteer service!

    Email if you have questions,

    Katie Klein

    katherine.klein@unt.edu

    Shera Award Committee Chair

     

     

    Guidelines for the 2025 Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research

    1. All entries must be research articles published in English during the 2025 calendar year.
    1. Articles may be nominated by any member of LRRT or by the editors of research journals in the field of library and information studies. No one may nominate more than two articles.
    1. All nominated articles must relate in at least a general way to library and information studies. Any research method is acceptable.
    1. Authors of nominated articles need not be LRRT members.
    1. Articles by joint investigators are eligible, as are articles generated as a result of a research grant or other source of funding.
    1. Research articles will be judged on the following points:
      1. Definition of the research problem;
      1. Application of research methods;
      1. Clarity of the reporting of the research;
      1. Significance of the conclusions, as judged by the Committee.
    1. The author(s) of the winning article will receive a Certificate.

    Guidelines for the 2025 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research

    1. The award is restricted to research designs that have been approved by the doctoral candidate's dissertation committee and that are about to be employed or are in the initial stage of use. Completed research is not eligible for consideration.
    2. Any research design is acceptable, but the topic of the research must relate in at least a general way to library and information studies.
    3. Candidates should submit a two-part paper based on their approved dissertation proposal:
      1. A brief problem statement not to exceed 500 words.
      2. A summary of the design/methodology portion of their dissertation proposal, not to exceed 2,500 words
      3. A brief statement from the dissertation committee chair, supporting and approving the research.
    4. Candidates for this award need not be LRRT members.
    5. Papers will be evaluated in a double-blind, peer review process, on the basis of the following criteria:
      1. Clarity of the research design.
      2. The appropriateness of the design and method(s) for the research problem.
      3. Adequacy of the description of the methodological procedures
      4. The inclusion of definitions of important terms where needed.
      5. The adequacy of the data collection instrument(s) or technique(s).
      6. Appropriateness of the proposed data analysis for the research problem and methods.
      7. Innovation of the research design.
    6. The winner of the award will receive a Certificate and $250.



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    Katie Klein
    Assistant Professor
    University of North Texas

    She/Her/Hers
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