James L. Mullins
Dean of Libraries
Purdue University
D. Scott Brandt,
Associate Dean for Research
Purdue University
Data and information problems facing researchers today are voluminous and include a wide range of activities which can and should include library science expertise—from developing methodologies for collecting, to identifying and enhancing metadata, to building databases and mining them, to disseminating results through repositories, and in educating a variety of users on the availability and accessibility of research results. These problems call for participation and collaboration beyond traditional bibliographic searching as part of initial investigation or literature review—librarians need to contribute as co-investigators. They can develop interdisciplinary information protocols for data mining and extracting information from complex or multidiscipline data sources. They can translate vocabularies and build taxonomies for data across disciplines. They can apply curation and archive techniques to data and resources. And they can provide a network for promoting and sharing information, as well as education and outreach for a variety of types of end users. It is important to note that participation and collaboration is not simply an extension of the traditional role of “service” in meeting information needs of patrons—it is more proactive and involved.
The Purdue University Libraries has undertaken an interdisciplinary research program, to participate in various projects and initiatives as appropriate, to help support the strategic research mission of Purdue University. It engages in and applies library science-based research which promotes or supports university research. It focuses on key areas that support Purdue’s strengths (science, engineering, agriculture), but also pursues cross- and multi-disciplinary research, especially (science education, scholarly communication, agricultural economics, etc.). It pursues and participates in sponsored funding research, such as NSF, NIH, and other agency/foundation grants. And it develops a broader program that provides structure, guidance and mentoring to help new Libraries faculty hit the ground running, as well as foster research from all tenured faculty in the Libraries.
Web Site:
http://www.lib.purdue.edu/interdisciplinaryresearchprogram
Handout (MS Word)