The Characteristics Associated with Perceived Quality in Schools of Library and Information Science: An Update and Prediction

A previous study of mine undertook to examine the characteristics associated with perceived quality in schools of library and information science [1]. An empirical model was developed, using the statistical technique of discriminant analysis, which predicted correctly in fifty-six of fifty-seven cases whether or not a school would be ranked. In this study, "ranked" was defined as having a top-quality master's program or having faculty who contribute significantly to the advancement of the profession, as reported in both of Herbert White's perception studies [2, 3]. This model (canonical correlation = .8849) was based on consideration of the following variables, listed in order of their correlation (given in parentheses) with the discriminant analysis function [1]: 1. The half-life of the school's doctoral graduates, or the number of years between 1986 and the year the school graduated 50 percent of its doctoral graduates (.50). 2. The total budget of the school (.43). 3. All income not from the school's parent body, that is, grant funds, continuing education income, endowment income, and so forth (.33).