RESEARCH COMPETENCE FOR PHD, STUDENTS IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION-SCIENCE

After presenting a brief history of doctoral programs in library and i nformation 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 lite rature on LIS doctoral programs indicates that the total amount of ins truction required in research methods and the proportion of instructio n required in cognate fields are increasing. Qualitative methods are c learly receiving more attention as well. Other trends include increase s in interdisciplinary and technology-based research. The author concl udes that the research methods curriculum for the Ph.D. should continu e to emphasize basic research and that doctoral programs should gradua te individuals prepared to do research that will generate new knowledg e, build the theoretical base of library and information science, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.