Areas for Research in Library Science

The findings of research enrich the universe of ideas. Observational research records facts of experience; and it essentially depends upon the mental act of perception. Empirical research formulates the generalised laws on the basis of observed facts; and it essentially depends on the intellectual act of induction, Fundamental laws are not the results of research; they are got by direct apprehension through intuition. Pure research is a priori research arriving at deduced laws on the basis of fundamental laws. Pure research is not directed towards the solution of any utilitarian problems. Applied research is a priori research for an immediate distinct utility. Developmental research makes finer adjustments and improvements in the results of pure and applied research, or of observational and empirical research. After the formulation of the Fundamental Laws known as the Five Laws of Library Science, Library Science and its branches entered the Spiral of Scientific Method. In addition, some of these branches have their own fundamental laws called Canons and Principles for distinction. Library Science and its branches are now fit fields for all the five kinds of research. Mter clearing the ground in this way, some indication is given of what has been already achieved by research and what is still requiring research in the different branches of Library Science - such as Classification, Cataloguing, Book Selection, Reference Service, Circulation, Organisation, and Administration falling entirely within the sphere of the library profession. A similar treatment is also given to the subjects - such as development and structure of the universe of subjects, language and style of work, presentation of the text of a book and of an article in a periodical, physique of the book, methods of reading and study, library housing, audit of the efficiency of library service, and absolute syntax which are to be pursued by the library profession jointly with the specialists in the respective subjects.