The ALISE 2016 Conference theme of “Radical Change: Inclusion and Innovation” celebrates the far reaching impact of Eliza T. Dresang’s work. The conference welcomes contributions that explore inclusive practices and innovative strategies in teaching and research, with special interest for Cultural Diversity, Digital Societies, Intellectual Freedom, Social Justice and International Resources.
Our logo for the conference is the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly. This is a great symbol of radical change and transformation. Although the caterpillar and the butterfly exist in the same environment, each has its own perception and understanding of the world. As the caterpillar prepares for transformation, it must build the chrysalis, which acts as protection and change agent. When the radical change is completed, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis into a new world, one of amazing potential and opportunity. The radical transformation and change allows the caterpillar to move beyond its small environment as a beautiful butterfly excited and ready to see and learn about its brave new world.
Collaboratively developing an online quiz that identifies individuals’ epistemologies is an effective way to meet critical pedagogical ends in LIS doctoral education. Quiz design helps students learn to engage in epistemological perspective-taking, a requisite skill for conducting pluralist, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research. This paper will recount the process of creating an epistemology quiz in a doctoral research design course and will consider how this process successfully aligns with activity theory. The use of this quiz also supports an emerging pedagogical trend: LIS PhD programs increasingly focus on teaching research design rather than merely qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
