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Program Requirements

The Ph.D. program provides an opportunity to study interdisciplinary research topics within the field of library and information studies at the doctoral level. Students develop scholarly and innovative expertise in one of the four research areas within information studies: a) information-seeking behaviour; b) human-computer interaction; c) information resources in context; d) knowledge management and representation, as well as an awareness of the inter-relatedness of these areas. Students begin with a set of common core courses and proceed to specialization through advanced coursework and dissertation topics focused on areas of expertise that are supported by the research interests of current faculty members.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses (12 credits)

Note: INFS 701 is normally taken in the second year.

• INFS 701 Comprehensive Examination

  Offered by: Information Studies (Faculty of Arts)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  INFS : Defence of a comprehensive research proposal.

  Terms: Fall 2023

  Instructors: Bartlett, Joan; Fung, Benjamin (Fall)

  • Not open to students who have taken GLIS 701.

• INFS 702 Seminar in Information Studies (3 credits)

  Offered by: Information Studies (Faculty of Arts)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  INFS : Examination of students' own specific areas of doctoral research within the broader field of information studies and comparisons of those areas with other traditions of inquiry. Theoretical models and research methodologies as applied in information studies.

  Terms: Fall 2023

  Instructors: Bouthillier, France (Fall)

  • Not open to students who have taken GLIS 702.

• INFS 703 Research Paradigms in Information Studies. (3 credits)

  Offered by: Information Studies (Faculty of Arts)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  INFS : Philisophical foundations of research in information studies, including traditions, approaches, methods, and models of inquiry to provide the capacity to critically assess the value of qualitative and quantitative research methods in relation to specific research problems identified in the discipline.

  Terms: Fall 2023

  Instructors: Bouthillier, France (Fall)

  • Not open to students who have taken GLIS 703.

• INFS 704 Research Design in Information Studies. (3 credits)

  Offered by: Information Studies (Faculty of Arts)

  Administered by: Graduate Studies

  Overview

  INFS : Research project design and its application to the specific dissertation proposal through the exploration of ways to operationalize key concepts in information studies and to identify critical steps in data collection and analysis.

  Terms: Winter 2024

  Instructors: Brilmyer, Gracen (Winter)

  • Not open to students who have taken GLIS 704.

Students may also be required to take additional courses to prepare them for their research.