Identifying the Gaps in Practitioner-Researcher Preparedness in Australia: Results of a National Survey

The value of research to library and information science (LIS) practice and the need to build a culture of research within the profession are well documented. Research informs decision-making, supports strategy and planning, and ensures that LIS services remain relevant to changing community needs. Yet a vibrant research culture is present in only some parts of the Australian sector. To fully embrace a research culture, it is necessary to understand the extent to which LIS practitioners are qualified for and ready to engage in research activities. This paper presents findings from a survey of 291 Australian LIS practitioners that reveals they require better support to build research capacity, particularly through formal education programs. Most practitioners rely on self-education and employer training to attain basic research skills, putting pressure on employers to provide learning opportunities and mentorship. The type of LIS qualification that practitioners attain also significantly impacts where practitioners are likely to be employed, how well prepared they feel to apply or undertake research, and their confidence and willingness to provide research support to others. This lack of consistency in research qualification creates a research-capacity divide in the Australian LIS profession. Collaborative research partnerships between information science academics and information professionals present opportunities for the joint development of domain-specific expertise in research, ultimately improving practitioner confidence and building capacity for practitioner researchers to mentor colleagues in the future.