Application of Information Systems Theories in Library and Information Science Research: A Content Analysis

Abstract

There is a widely-held belief that the library and information science (LIS) field does not have theories of its own but borrows heavily from a variety of fields. One of the subject domains from which LIS borrows theories is information systems (IS). The purpose of this study was to examine the extent and nature of application of information systems theories in the library and information science research using content analysis techniques. The study extracted relevant data from the Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), and Library Information Science Source (LISS) databases using the names of 130 IS theories. Data was analysed to determine the most commonly applied theories; the trend of application of the theories in LIS research; the nature of theory application; and the LIS subject areas in which IS theories are mostly applied. The findings reveal that the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) were the most commonly applied theories in LIS research; theoretical triangulation is rarely applied in LIS research; specific subject areas of IS application in LIS research are diverse with technology acceptance topping the list. Conversely, LIS researchers are increasingly conducting research on areas that relate to ICTs, hence substantial visibility of IS theories in the LIS literature. This pattern has immense implications on LIS research, education and training.