PhD Programme in Library and Information Science Programme description

The field of library and information science is facing challenges which demand research and research competence, and there is an ever increasing demand for professionals with both insight and competence. The goal of the PhD programme in Library and Information Science is to prepare candidates to meet the needs in research, teaching and further development in this field.

The point of departure on which this curriculum is based in an understanding of the core area which underlies research and teaching in this field at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University. The main focus is the relation between an information organizing system, for example a library in both a physical and digital form, and present and potential users of documents in this system. The study consists of subjects associated with, for example, systems for knowledge organization and retrieval, methods for description and indexing of documents, people's information search behaviour, dissemination of contents from the system to users, information and cultural politics. An emphasis in the organizing and implementation of the PhD program is on creating synergy and communication between the various subareas and developing an understanding among the doctoral students of what library and information science consists of as a research field. This goal will be realized through mandatory core subjects based on the theory of library and information science, through regular meetings where the candidates present their work across various fields of specialization and through projects which cross the subject's subarea borders.

The requirements for the PhD degree are established in the Provision for the Degree of Philosophiae doctor a (PhD) at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University.

Upon completion and passing of the programme, the candidate will be awarded the degree PhD of Library and Information Science.

The target group for the PhD programme are those who wish to be qualified for research in the field of library and information science, teaching positions at universities and colleges and other positions which place high demands on professional competence.

Admission requirements are outlined in the Provision for the Degree of Philosophiae doctor (PhD) at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University. To be admitted to the PhD program the student must have completed "hovedfag" or master's degree in library and information science or the equivalent, for example informatics, media, documentation science, cultural or literature sociology.

The description of the requirements for the application's contents are outlined in Provision for the Degree of Philosophiae doctor a (PhD) at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University. The application for admission must document the applicant's educational background (for example a transcript), content and description of completed research, progress plan, financing and studies at other institutions. In addition, the applicants shall provide information about their needs for an advisor and infrastructure, the language in which they wish to write their dissertation and any possible problems in accordance with rights to intellectual property.

The Doctoral Degree Committee at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University will evaluate the application based on a total assessment. More detailed information of the requirements for the application's contents and admission decisions are outlined in the university's guidelines for consideration of application for admission to PhD programmes.

Upon admission to the programme the Doctoral Degree Committee will assign the student an advisor or advisors. If the advisor is not associated with the programme, normally a second advisor who is associated with PhD programme in Library and Information Science will be assigned the student. The admission is formalized through a contract between the doctoral student, the advisor and the college, and if relevant with other professional groups and institutions. The contract regulates the parties' mutual rights and obligations for the contract's period in accordance with paragraph 3 in the Provisions and is based on the outline developed by the University and College Board (UHR).

All courses will be offered to external candidates provided that all places are not taken. The courses are primarily reserved for candidates admitted to the PhD programme, but will be open for other students who have completed "hovedfag" or a master's degree (120 credits) in the professional field.

Upon completion of the program, the candidate shall have the following learning outcomes consisting of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate

• masters the areas of knowledge in the areas chosen for specialization in library and information science
• will have attained broad and in-depth knowledge of theory and approaches in library and information science in general
• can contribute to the development of new knowledge and theory and methods in the professional area

Skills

The candidate

• will be able to formulate relevant questions in library and information science based research projects
• can evaluate the appropriateness and application of various theories and methods in relation to a library and information science research project.
• can carry out research at an advanced international level
• can deal with complex academic questions and challenge existing knowledge in the professional field     

General competence

The candidate

• can identify questions in regard to research ethical questions
• can participate in and guide inter-disciplinary projects
• can disseminate research through recognized professional publication channels and through practice and to the general public

References

Correct use references and validation are a demand in all professional work and is an important principle in all research and reporting. In the course of all course work and research, the candidates must follow the guidelines for the use of reference and citation. Failure to follow the established guidelines can be considered as plagiarism and cheating and a breach of research ethical guidelines in accordance with The Act Governing Universities and Colleges, paragraphs 4-7.

Course Work (35 credits)

The course work section of the PhD programme in library and information science consists of  a mandatory core course section (10 credits), a philosophy of science section (5 credits), a specialization (10 credits) and a methods section (10 credits).

Regarding the general subjects such as the philosophy of science and research methods, an important aspect will be collaboration with other departments which offer research education.

Mandatory core subject - 10 credits: The mandatory core subject covers an area in library and information science's theoretical foundation.

The philosophy of science - 5 credits: The student will take the subject in the philosophy of science at the Center for Professional Studies at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University

Methods: A five credit course in informetrics has been developed which can count as part of the methods requirement.

The study allows considerable freedom of choice of subjects. In consultation with the advisor, the student chooses subjects in the philosophy of science and methods whose orientation meets the need associated with the dissertation project, for example science and methods subjects from other programmes at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University or other universities and colleges.

Elective specialization - 10 credits: Three subjects have been developed in the programme which can be included in the specialization section.

• Advanced Course in Web Indexing and Retrieval -10 credits

• The Sociology of Literature - Basic Research Questions and Empirical Studies -10 credits

• Libraries in Society - Between Trend and Tradition - Institutionalization and Reinstitutionalisation of a Professional Field - 10 credits

The students, in consultation with the advisor, can choose specialization areas from other programmes at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University based on what would be most relevant for their dissertation.

The pedagogical approach

In all subjects the pedagogical approach can vary between lectures, discussions and presentations, candidate presentations or individual feedback. The teaching is generally based on a seminar approach.

Research (145 credits)

A key part of the study is the work associated with the dissertation. The dissertation must consist of a monograph or several articles together with a general methodological consideration and discussion of the main findings (in Norwegian "kappe") in accordance with Provisions paragraph 5.

A dissertation based on articles must consist of a minimum of three articles. The advisor can normally not be a co-author on more than 1 of the articles. The advisor's co-authorship on several articles can be approved if the dissertation consists of more than three articles or if the advisor's contribution can be justified by other reasons. If the candidates are not the first author on one article, they must have significantly contributed in the data collection, interpretation of the results and the writing. Upon the handing in of the dissertation, at least one of the articles must have been published. The introduction linking the articles together shall explain the theoretical and methodological relation among the articles in the dissertation.

Course work

The course work consists of instruction in the various subjects in meetings over several days. The approach includes lectures given by the instructor and student presentations.

The dissertation

 Advising

The doctoral candidate has the right to advising during the preparation of the dissertation and is expected to actively make use of this offer. In the event that the advisor is not associated with the programme, an secondary advisor associated with the programme will normally be appointed.

The doctoral candidate has the right to a total of 210 hours of advising in the course of the study. The time schedule is established in the advising agreement. A schedule of advising shall be worked out in the first meeting with the advisor each semester. The advising includes preparation, discussions with the doctoral candidate and post meeting work. The rights and responsibilities in connection with advising are regulated in the Provisions paragraph 11. Guidelines are prepared concerning extended time in a PhD programme at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University after the PhD fellowship has expired.

Participation in research seminars and interim evaluation

A research seminar will be held each semester where current research and research education questions will be discussed. Each doctoral student shall present his/her project at the beginning, midway and at near the end of his work with the dissertation.

Opponents will be appointed among both doctoral students and internal and external researchers in connection with seminars for submission of dissertation work. The interim evaluation midway consists of an academic evaluation where the doctoral candidates shall present their doctoral projects and evaluate their fellow students¿ doctoral projects. This shall form the basis for the final dissertation and public defence. The midway presentation with the evaluation of the doctoral project shall occur within the first two years of the doctoral studies. Advisors and researchers in the research field will be invited to participate. At the final seminar, the opponent will be an external researcher within the relevant subject area. Doctoral students will function as opponents at least at one seminar in the course of their study.

Dissemination

The doctoral candidates are expected to present their research at least once in an international conference. Doctoral candidates are also encouraged to present their projects in relevant fora and channels.

The candidates will have the possibility to spend up to one semester at an institution abroad.

Dissemination It is expected that the PhD candidate presents her/his research at least once at an international conference. Furthermore, the PhD candidate is encouraged to disseminate her/his project in relevant fora and channels.

The doctorate degree in library and information science will be awarded on the basis of:

• approved completion of the course work, or other approved academic schooling or competence
• approved trial lecture over a given subject, and
• approved dissertation and public defense

The assessment is governed by Provisions paragraph 6. More detailed rules for evaluation of the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD) at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University are provided upon request.

Up to 5 credits of academic training may be taken as teaching or research activities under the current rules:

• Upon application, the presentation of papers at international conferences can be approved as part of the academic training component, up to 3 credits in total. Up to 2 credits are awarded for one presentation.
• Dissemination with their original lecture, for example to BA or MA students: 1 credit for four teaching hours (excluding factor), up to 2 credits in total. This applies to graduates with no mandatory duties (pliktarbeid), and graduates with no teaching duties in their mandatory duties.
• Study or research at a foreign institution: 1 credit for the first two weeks, then 1 credit for each week. The stay should be at least two weeks. Plan for the stay must be approved by the supervisor and confirmed by the external institution. Participants must submit a written report afterwards. The credits can only be granted if ECTS rewarding course is not taken simultaneously.

    Other activities upon application. The faculty doctoral committee will assess the application and scope of credits.