Towards A Research Agenda for LIS in the East and Southeast (SE) Asian Region: some preliminary thoughts

Abstract

The International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA) Library Theory & Research (LTR) Section's proposed Open Session at the IFLA 2010 Brisbane conference will be on research agendas in library and information science/studies (LIS). The role of research in LIS in Australia has now been recognised by the Australian Library & Information Association (ALIA) and some of the activities of ALIA's Research Committee are reported. Nevertheless of the significant international research literature in library and information science/studies (LIS), few Australian LIS researchers use or contribute to it (Genoni, Haddow & Ritchie, 2004). Are there similarities in the Australian situation for the East and SE Asian region? The paper discusses some of the issues that might arise in contemplating the need for a research agenda for the region. If there is general agreement from this conference on the need for setting a research agenda for LIS in the East SE Asian region, then it is suggested that a way to enable it be discussed and acted upon.