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.

Educational (training) component (30 credits)

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

General subjects such as the philosophy of science and research methods, are mainly offered by, or in collaboration with, other PhD programmes at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan Univeristy, or elsewhere.

Mandatory core subject requirement - 10 credits: The mandatory core course covers the theoretical foundation of selected areas in library and information science.

The philosophy of science requirement - 5 credits: The  subject is not offered by the programme, candidates are advised to take the course offered at the Center for Professional Studies at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, or make take an equivalent course elsewhere.

Methods reguirement - 5 credits: A course in informetrics has been developed which can count as part of the methods requirement.

The programme allows considerable freedom of choice of courses. In consultation with the supervisor, the candidate may choose courses in philosophy of science and methods whose orientation meets the needs associated with the dissertation project,  at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University or other higher education institutes.

Elective specialization requirement - 10 credits: Three courses have been developed in the programme and can be included in the specialization component.

• 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 candidates may, in consultation with their supervisor, choose specialization courses from other programmes at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, or from other higher education institutes,  based on what would be most relevant for their dissertation.

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

• Upon application, the presentation of papers at international conferences may be apporved as part of the academic training component, up to 3 credits in total. Up to 2 credits may be awarded for one presentation
• Dissemination by original lecture, for example to BA or MA students: 1 credit for four teaching hours (ecluding factor), up to 2 credits in total. This applies to candidates with no mandatory teaching duties.
• Study or Research at a Foreign insitution: 1 credit for the first two weeks, then 1 credit for each week, 3 credits in total. The stay should be at least two weeks. A plan for the stay must be approved by the supervisor and confirmed by the external insitution. A written report must be completed after the end of the stay
• Other activities may be credited on Application to the Doctoral Committee.

The pedagogical approach

The pedagogical approach may vary between lectures, discussions and presentations, candidate presentations and individual feedback. Teaching is generally based on a seminar format. Assessment is done by an individual essay. In order to submit an essay for assessment in a subject, 80% attendance is required in the educational part. 

Research component (150 credits)

The main component of the programme consists of the work associated with the dissertation. The dissertation may consist of a coherent text (a monograph) or several articles together with a thorough cover text  (in Norwegian "kappe") in accordance with Provisions §5.

A dissertation based on articles must consist of a minimum of three articles. The candidate may be sole author or have co-authors in the articles included in the dissertation, but in co-authorship the candidate must be first author of at least three articles. The extent of each co-author's contribution must be clarified. A co-author declaration must be submitted upon submission of the dissertation.

Upon the handing in of the dissertation, at least one of the articles must have been published. The dissertation needs to form a coherent whole, where the cover text focuses on linking the articles together and explaining the theoretical and methodological relationship among the articles included.

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.