PhD Programme in Library and Information Science Programme description

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

The curriculum is based on an understanding of the core area which underlies research and teaching in Library and information science at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University. The 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 programme  consists of subjects associated with, for example, systems of knowledge organization and retrieval, methods for description and indexing of documents, information seeking  behaviour of individuals and groups, dissemination of contents from the system to users, and  information and cultural politics. An emphasis in the organizing and implementation of the PhD program aims at creating synergy and communication between subfields and developing a shared view on library and information science as a research field. This goal is approached through mandatory core subjects  on theories in library and information science, and research seminars where the candidates present their work, as well as through the participation in Projects across various fields of specialization. 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 aiming at research qualifications in the field of library and information science, teaching positions at higher eduaction institutions 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 applicant must have completed a master's degree in library and information science or a related field, such as, media, documentation science, cultural sociology or sociology of literature.

The description of the requirements for the application's contents are outlined in §2 of the 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, progress plan, a financing plan and plan for studies at other institutions. The applicant must also submit a project description and research question for their dissertation.

The Doctoral Degree Committee at the Faculty of Social Science 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 its' PhD programmes.

Upon admission to the programme the Doctoral Degree Committee will assign the candidate a supervisor(s). If the main supervisor is not associated with the programme, normally a second advisor associated with PhD programme in Library and Information Science will be assigned the candidate. The admission is formalized through a contract between the doctoral candidate, 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  the Provisions and is based on the outline developed by the University and College Board (UHR).

All courses will be offered to external candidates based on availability. The courses are primarily reserved for candidates admitted to the PhD programme, but will be open for candidates who has completed  a master's degree (120 credits) in Library and information science or associated areas.

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 area of knowledge in library and information science within which they have chosen to specialize
• has a broad and in-depth knowledge of theories and approaches in library and information science in general
• is able to contribute to the development of new knowledge and theory and methods in the professional area

Skills

The candidate

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

General competence

The candidate

• can identify important research ethical questions
• can participate in and lead inter-disciplinary projects
• can disseminate research through acknowledged academic publication channels as well as to the profession and general public

References

Correct use of source references and verifiability are required in all research. Candidates must comply with the guidelines for correct referencing and use of quotations in both their training Component and Research component. Inadequate references may be deemed to contstitute plagiarism and cheating, and can constitue a breach of research ethics guidelines, cf the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges Sections §4-13. 

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 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, maximum 3 credits. 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 on application.

The faculty doctoral committee assess the application and scope of credits.

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 format includes both lectures  and student presentations.

The dissertation work

 Supervision

The candidate is entitled to supervision during the preparation of the dissertation and is expected to actively make use of it. If the main supervisor is not associated with the programme, an second supervisor associated with the programme will normally be appointed.

The candidate is entitled to a total of 210 hours of supervision in the course of the study.Up to 70 out of 210 hours may be used by a second advisor. The planned time division is established in the supervision agreement. A schedule of supervison shall be settled in the first meeting with the supervisor each semester. The hours for supervision includes preparation, discussions with the candidate and post meeting work. The rights and responsibilities in connection with supervision are regulated in the Provisions paragraph 11. 

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 candidate shall present their project at the beginning, midway and at near the end of his work with the dissertation.

Opponents will be appointed among both doctoral candidates and internal and external researchers in connection with seminars for submission of dissertation work. The interim evaluation midway ("midway seminar") consists of an academic evaluation where the candidates shall present their projects. This will 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 in theprogramme. Supervisors 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. The candidate will function as opponent at least at one seminar in the course of their study.

Dissemination

The candidate is expected to present their research at least once in an international conference. The candidate is also encouraged to present their projects in other relevant fora and channels.

The candidates has a possibility to spend up to one semester at an institution abroad.

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 doctoral 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 topic
• approved dissertation and public defense

The assessment is governed by Provisions § 6.OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University -  will provide further guidelines for the assessment of the dissertation and the the degree philosophiae doctor (PhD).