Research competence for PhD, students in library and information science

After presenting a brief history of doctoral programs in library and information science (LIS), this paper reviews the purpose of the Ph.D. degree, the types of research involved, the curricula of LIS doctoral programs, and the current trends in LIS research. A review of the literature on LIS doctoral programs indicates that the total amount of instruction required in research methods and the proportion of instruction required in cognate fields are increasing. Qualitative methods are clearly receiving more attention as well. Other trends include increases in interdisciplinary and technology-based research. The author concludes that the research methods curriculum for the Ph.D. should continue to emphasize basic research and that doctoral programs should graduate individuals prepared to do research that will generate new knowledge, build the theoretical base of library and information science, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.