Diversity: the research and the lack of progress

Abstract: Winston reviews the literature on diversity research, including what contributes to the success of diversity programs, in order to understand why there has been only limited progress in meeting diversity goals.

He criticizes LIS research for merely documenting under-representation, and not gleaning insights from non-LIS diversity research. Noting that diversity and race have been equated, and that the public is predisposed to avoid talking about difficult subjects – such as race -, he concludes that diversity is the euphemism with which society attempts to discuss race and fails. The reasons for this are complex and, he says, they invite further research.

Review

Winston demonstrates his appreciation of the “teaser” field through his use of “Originality/value” and “Practical implications” as fields within his abstract. Everyone who publishes should be taught to include such useful metadata, in addition to the traditional abstract and the burgeoning standard of keywords.

I am undecided on the question of whether or not such keywords should be entirely from subject heading lists or should include natural language, as well.

Additionally, I wonder whether communication studies exist that might illuminate homogeneous patterns in the language proposed as best practices for interface design.

Winston, Mark. (2008). Diversity: the research and the lack of progress. New Library World, 109(3/4), 130-149. Retrieved September 14, 2008 from Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts Full Text.