Abstract Research designs are key to the research process and the production of knowledge that supports performance and development. The appropriateness of the methodologies used in research has implications for the trustworthiness and validity of the outcomes of research and practice. The research designs used in library information science (LIS) research in Nigeria and South Africa between 2009 and 2015 were investigated. The objective was to map out the contours of the research designs that are utilised in LIS, particularly to keep the profession abreast of the trends in the field and the patterns in research designs used. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine 104 PhD dissertations, using six taxonomies to categorise research designs used in the two countries. Positivist epistemologies and quantitative methodologies predominated research in LIS. A handful of studies used basic mixed method research designs. Questionnaires and interviews were commonly used for data collection, but the triangulation of methods was not prevalent. The value of this study lies in that it will lead to the accumulation of knowledge of research designs and provide a baseline for studies on methodological practices.

中文翻译：

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2009-2015 年尼日利亚和南非图书馆信息科学研究中的研究设计制图

摘要 研究设计是研究过程和支持绩效和发展的知识生产的关键。研究中使用的方法的适当性对研究和实践结果的可信度和有效性有影响。调查了 2009 年至 2015 年尼日利亚和南非图书馆信息科学 (LIS) 研究中使用的研究设计。目标是勾勒出 LIS 中使用的研究设计的轮廓，特别是使该专业与该领域的趋势和所使用的研究设计模式保持同步。定性内容分析用于检查 104 篇博士论文，使用六个分类法对两国使用的研究设计进行分类。实证主义认识论和定量方法论主导了 LIS 的研究。少数研究使用了基本的混合方法研究设计。问卷和访谈通常用于数据收集，但三角测量方法并不普遍。本研究的价值在于，它将导致研究设计知识的积累，并为方法实践的研究提供基线。