How we done it good: Research through design as a legitimate methodology for librarianship

Abstract

How we done it good" publications-a genre concerning project-based approaches that describe how (and sometimes why) something was done-are often rebuked in the library research community for lacking traditional scientific validity, reliability, and generalizability. While scientific methodologies may be a common approach to research and inquiry, they are not the only methodological paradigms. This research posits that the "how we done it good" paradigm in librarianship reflects a valid and legitimate approach to research. By drawing on the concept of research through design, this study shows how these "how we done it good" projects reflect design methodologies which draw rigor from process, invention, relevance, and extensibility rather than replicability, generalizability, and predictability. Although these projects implicitly reflect research through design, the methodology is not yet explicitly harnessed in librarianship. More support for these types of projects can be achieved by making the legitimate design framework more explicit and increasing support from publication venues.

Design thinking and methods in library practice and graduate library education

“…Additionally, the findings here in conjunction with the demonstration of increased relevance of design to librarianship (e.g. Clarke 2016, 2018a, 2018b) may call for more mandatory inclusion of design course work in MLIS programs. In addition to ensuring that all graduates emerge with flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving skills (all of which are called for by various sources, e.g.…”

“…A recent curriculum review of ALA-accredited MLIS and equivalent programs reveals that the word “design” is used to describe over 400 courses, including topics like software design, instructional design, research design, and graphic design; however, only four courses specifically focused on design thinking and methods were identified (Clarke and Potter 2019). And despite articulation of design as a legitimate research method for librarianship, it is conspicuously absent from LIS research textbooks and studies (Clarke 2018a).…”

Designing an incubator for social innovations in libraries: Learnings from the Research through Design approach

“…In the field of information studies and librarianship, the Research through design approach is not yet very widespread. But as Clark [23] writes, it is also an approach that has the potential to rehabilitate the traditional library genre of case studies, which is also exaggerated as "how we did it good in our library" -assuming that the elements of research through design will be explicitly included, a connection between particular artefacts and universal concepts will be stressed, extensibility will be emphasized over the adoption and the RtD projects will not be disconnected from theory.…”

Estudio de tendencias del desarrollo regional. Ciencia, tecnología e innovación

“…Sin embargo, es relevante mantener abierta la discusión acerca de la división epistemológica entre la ciencia tradicional y el diseño cuando surge la idea que la ciencia se ocupa de observar y describir el mundo natural existente con el objetivo de replicabilidad y predicción. El diseño, por otro lado, se centra en el mundo artificial: objetos creados por humanos para instituir el cambio y resolver problemas (Clarke, 2018).…”