The purpose of library study is dictated by the activity involved. The research worker uses the library to determine new developments which
have a bearing on his specialty whatever it might be. Although the research worker uses the library for somewhat different purposes, a knowledge of his use of the literature is essential to evaluate the quality and interpret the findings of studies.
In masters' theses and PhD dissertations, there should be a chapter that presents the background and history of the topic under study. Although it is often possible to locate a "state of the art" article about the research topic in a specialized journal that presents this needed background and history whole sale, very often PhD candidates and masters' students will have to use library resources to write their reviews of the related literature.
Before a research worker initiates a study, he must first determine what has previously been done in the topic area. In addition to classic studies, a thorough knowledge of contemporary research in the topic area would also be necessary. Current status in a specific area cannot be determined by skimming and by reading summaries of studies; intensive analysis is required. Determination of current status in a field of knowledge requires access to the most accurate sources available.
4.1. KNOW THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Like rumor, the restating of conclusions presumably reached by a pioneer in a field of knowledge can result in gross distortion of the original findings. If "animal imagery in Shakespeare's plays" is the problem selected for study, the original account of the investigations done in this connection should be read. Second-handed descriptions should not be considered a substitute for the original sources. When a study published in an unfamiliar language is to be used, a comparison of more than one translation of the original work should be made if at all possible. Although examination of original articles sometimes requires much time, the practice eliminates secondhand scholarship.
4.2. BE MORE INFORMED
In researching a specific literary topic, the library search may extend to directly related fields such as literary criticism; in a library, however, books are catalogued and journals are classified on the basis of broad subject areas. As a result, you may fail to encounter references to
relevant studies in other areas unless you take special steps in addition to prescribed library search methods. Useful findings from other fields may not be utilized by research workers because of a lack of communication among research workers in the various fields of study.
4.3. BE CRITICAL
More than a single study usually has been conducted relating to a problem area selected by you for your term project. The report of these related studies must be analyzed line by line; even the meaning of each word must be determined, if possible.
The purpose of this critical analysis is threefold. The quality of individual studies must be ascertained. The findings of two or more studies should be analyzed to determine if investigators concurred in their findings and should be contrasted to identify differences in their conclusions. Disagreements of two or more competent investigators about the exact nature of facts leads to the third consideration, namely, a determination of the gaps in the existing body of knowledge. The research worker may then decide to do his research in such a way as to fill this gap.
Library scholarship is essential for constructing a foundation upon which quality research can be built. Before moving ahead, the research worker must be aware of what is known with some degree of certainty, what is accepted as truth by some but not by others, and must have some inkling of the nature of unexplored areas where additional research should be conducted.
Many research projects necessitate the use of instruments such as questionnaires, schedules, attitude scales, rating scales, and achievement tests, and apparatus such as soundproof booths, one-way mirrors, and other devices. Development of valid and reliable instruments with which to conduct an investigation may require a great amount of expertise, time, and effort. If appropriate, the use of instruments developed and validated by others will save time and serve also to relate the problem under study to other better known "facts." A library-based survey of the literature can be initiated for the primary purpose of identifying valid instruments, proven methods, or appropriate apparatus. Therefore,
library search is a useful tool, available for the research worker, that makes the selection of data collection instruments easy.
To formulate the null and alternate hypothesis for statistical analysis in an experimental design an investigator may be justified in guessing tentatively the outcome of the research. This guess, or estimate, of the outcome should be based on research findings from similar investigations and related to a theoretical rationale. In comparing the relative merits of two given methods of language teaching, for example, the investigator should examine previous research studies in which these methods were compared. He could make one of four decisions:
1. If no previous studies were conducted comparing the two methods, the probable outcome could not be ascertained;
2. If a number of competent researchers had compared the methods using various types of subjects (normal children, mentally retarded children, illiterate adults, and adults learning English as a second language, for example) and some investigators had found method I superior and others indicated that method II produced greater learning, then no probability would be established because of conflicting conclusions;
3. If a majority of previous studies indicated the superiority of method I, probability would be established. The investigator would formulate his hypothesis with the "guess" that method I would result in greater learning;
4. If nearly all previous studies indicated that method I was superior, the hypothesis could be formulated to indicate greater gain from this method.
A review of related studies serves as a guide to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable verification of the hypothesis in question. Library research is used to establish the appropriateness of certain statistical tools and analytical methods in your experiments.
5. FINAL REMARKS
In connection to language teaching, the most important purpose for conducting library research is to improve the effectiveness of teaching practices. The aims previously described for library research were
directed toward improving the quality of planned research investigations. All investigations, however, are aimed at improving the effectiveness of the classroom teacher.
Quite clearly, if the teacher and school administrator do not familiarize themselves with results of studies, most of the effort expended by research workers will be wasted. A thorough review of the literature should be made before school district personnel embark on an experimental language teaching program or make changes in existing programs which have proven satisfactory in the past.
In addition to other considerations including acceptance by teachers, parents, and members of the general public, change must follow a careful examination of related research findings. By utilizing the library, practicing educators can profit from the successes of others. They can also eliminate or circumvent causes of failure.