JAL in the Past Decade: A Comprehensive Analysis of Academic Library Research

A content analysis is conducted to examine the peer-reviewed articles published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship (JAL) from 2004 to 2013. Five key variables are studied: authorship, article type, topic, research methods/design, and research theories/models. About three-fourths of the articles were authored by at least one librarian, and over half of the articles were co-authored. More than two-thirds of the articles were primary research articles, and a total of 24 topics related to academic libraries were covered, among which information literacy was the most popular one. Survey and content analysis are the two most frequently used research methods in the articles. This study, capturing the topical and methodological substance of academic library research, will generate ideas for providing effective research training/education for academic librarians and contribute to the enhancement of research culture and research practice among them.