Critical realism as a philosophy and social theory in information science?

Wikgren, Marianne

doi:10.1108/00220410510577989

Cited by 74 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(34 reference statements)

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“…In seeking to understand the contextual factors that influence information behavior the research not only seeks to observe and interpret, but also seeks to understand cause and relation, in pursuit of changes in management action and policies (Delanty, 2005, p. 147;Wikgren, 2005). However, the researchers also recognize that they need to be alert to their own assumptions, and their funders' motives in intervention and change.…”

Section: Research Philosophymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Realism, in contrast to constructivism, emphasizes that realities underlying knowledge do exist, and attempts to integrate three methodologies: the possibility of a causal explanation, the communicative construction of social reality, and the critical dimension (Delanty, 2005, p. 145). Wikgren (2005) suggests that critical realism could be applied to models of information behavior. It is not enough to observe and interpret, perhaps, but to understand some causes and relations, and then to make changes.…”

Section: Information Behavior Models and Research Philosophiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Understanding student information behavior in relation to electronic information services: Lessons from longitudinal monitoring and evaluation, Part 1

Rowley

Urquhart

2007

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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This two-part article establishes a model of the mediating factors that influence student information behavior concerning electronic or digital information sources that support their learning. The first part reviews the literature that underpinned the development of the research methodology for the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) User Behavior Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, as well as the literature that has subsequently helped to develop the model over the 5 years the Framework operated in the United Kingdom, in five cycles of research that were adjusted to meet the emerging needs of the JISC at the time. The literature review attempts to synthesize the two main perspectives in the research studies: (a) smallscale studies of student information behavior; and (b) the studies that focus on the quantitative usage of particular electronic information services in universities, often including implications for training and support. As the review indicates, there are gaps in the evidence concerning the browsing and selection strategies of undergraduate students and the interaction of some of the mediating influences on information behavior. The Framework developed a multimethod, qualitative and quantitative methodology for the continued monitoring of user behavior. This article discusses the methods used and the projectmanagement challenges involved, and concludes that at the outset, intended impacts need to be specified carefully, and that funding needs to be committed at that point for a longitudinal study. A research project on information behavior, intended to inform current policymaking on infrastructure provision, is inherently difficult as behavior changes lag behind provision.

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Section: Research Philosophymentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Information Behavior Models and Research Philosophiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Understanding student information behavior in relation to electronic information services: Lessons from longitudinal monitoring and evaluation, Part 1

Rowley

Urquhart

2007

J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci.

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“…But at the same time, they accepted bureaucracy and regulation as a normal feature of a cooperative, giving the impression the criticism is also a bit of a ritual. Established structures often come with routinized interaction patterns, demonstrating again the entanglement of materialized arrangements and actors' deep insertion in its schedules (Archer 1995;Wikgren 2005;Rolston 2013). …”

Section: At the Asobal Officesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Intricacies of “Being Able to Work Undisturbed”: The Organization of Alluvial Gold Mining in Bolivia

Salman

2016

Society & Natural Resources

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This article on small-scale alluvial gold mining in Bolivia shows how cultural practices, social patterns, and institutions, policies and politics are connected to technologies, physical environments, infrastructure, and landscapes. It presents a detailed description of the techniques, material makeup, work organization, social organization, and the regional and national political setting of alluvial small-scale gold mining in northern Bolivia, and argues for an analytical approach that acknowledges the interlinking of sociocultural and physical dimensions. To do so, the article is built of scale-ascending sections: Starting with a detailed description of the micro-operations on the pontoons on which the work takes place, followed by a theoretical exploration of the idea of sociomaterial entanglements, the argument proceeds to address the relations between the "inhabitants" of the pontoons and the nearby village that is their home, the miners' organization (a cooperative), and the more macro setting in which this cooperative developed. The titles of the sections therefore allude to increasingly large scales. The closing section merges the various scales and summarizes the argument. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…The literature review revealed that there were library science theories that have not comprehensively articulated the impact of the current information environment on libraries. Examples include the probability theory (Bensman 2007), the grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss 1967), the grand unified theory (McGrath 2002), the critical realism theory (Wikgren 2005) and the fuzzy set theory (Zadeh 1965). …”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the use of knowledge management practices in an academic library in a changing information environment

Mavodza

Ngulube

2011

South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science

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… not managing or organizing books or journals, searching the internet for clients or arranging the circulation of materials. However, each of the activities can in some way be part of the knowledge management spectrum and process. Knowledge management is about enhancing the use of organizational knowledge through sound practices of knowledge management and organizational learning. The theory behind KM is that knowledge is not an end in itself. According to Williams, Giuse, Koonce, Kou and Giuse (2004:99), "when information and knowledge flow can be captured, organised and made accessible for reuse, there exists the potential for subsequent creation of new knowledge". New knowledge has a possibility of enhancing performance and improving services provided to clients.The reason why KM theory is becoming increasingly significant in libraries is that rapid technological changes alter the way in which library services are provided. The concept of ownership of items has become more fluid because of the prevalence of new communication technologies that include social software such as blogs, wikis and MySpace. The collection development function of librarians now consists of deciding which items to provide straightforward access to besides the traditional services of issuing print publications to users. One can say that libraries are now expected to build and maintain "knowledge gateways" (Ravi 2008) and in the process pull together a range of information resources and sources that address the research needs of their user communities.Library support at the MCNY is in the form of print and online resources, reference services and information literacy classes for all library users. The library is currently unable to provide every resource and service students and faculty require. This is confirmed by the MCNY's self-study review (2009:51), which states that there is consensus among students and staff that "library resources and services are not adequate". The reasons are financial as well as practical.

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Critical realism as a philosophy and social theory in information science?

Cited by 74 publications

References 19 publications

Understanding student information behavior in relation to electronic information services: Lessons from longitudinal monitoring and evaluation, Part 1

Understanding student information behavior in relation to electronic information services: Lessons from longitudinal monitoring and evaluation, Part 1

The Intricacies of “Being Able to Work Undisturbed”: The Organization of Alluvial Gold Mining in Bolivia

Exploring the use of knowledge management practices in an academic library in a changing information environment

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