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This study analyzes 5,281 research papers from 81 countries in Library and Information Science (LIS) to explore the global variation in research methods influenced by economic, cultural, and disciplinary factors. By employing a deep learning model for automatic classification and conducting content analysis, the authors reveal distinct national profiles in research methodology, with notable differences persisting even when addressing the same topics. The findings indicate a gradual convergence in research methods over the past 30 years, providing valuable insights for national discipline development and international collaboration in LIS.
Research methods in Library and Information Science reveal striking national differences, even on identical topics, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in global research collaboration.
The global development of Library and Information Science (LIS) is influenced by various factors such as the economy, society, culture, discipline, tradition, and more. Consequently, the research methods of LIS vary greatly among countries. To better understand these differences, we conducted a study of 5281 research papers from 81 countries published in internationally representative journals over the past thirty years. We manually annotated the research methods used in some articles through content analysis, and subsequently developed and trained a deep learning model for automatic classification of research methods. Using this method, we conducted a comparative analysis of the usage of research methods in different countries. Our findings reveal that there are differences in the research methods used across countries, with each country having its unique research profile and distribution of research methods. Even when investigating the same topic, research methods can differ between countries. Our study also uncovers that there are differences between the national and international distribution of research methods, these differences have decreased over the past 30 years. By highlighting the characteristics of discipline development in various countries from the perspective of research methods, our study can help guide discipline development at the national level. This study provides insights into the usage trends of research methods across different countries and highlights the unique characteristics of discipline development in each country. This information can be valuable in promoting collaboration and understanding between countries and in guiding discipline development at the national level.
