Future Studies in the Library and Information Profession: What it is and its methods

Abstract

This study dealt with the subject of future studies as one of the modern fields of knowledge, with a focus on its concept, origin, patterns, importance, objectives, types, principles, characteristics and requirements, in addition to a presentation of its advantages and the most prominent obstacles it faces, through the first axis, while through the second axis, this study focused on the methods and curricula used In future studies, including projection methods, simulation method, brainstorming method, trend extrapolation method, method of determining areas of spread, method of time series, method of future wheels, method of tracking phenomena, content analysis, method of mutual influence matrix and method of cross-sectional effects analysis in general, with a focus on Delphi method and the method of scenarios in particular. Because they are one of the most used future studies methods in anticipating the future of the library and information profession, with a presentation of the most prominent examples of future studies that tried to anticipate the future of this profession using methodological methods with arranging these studies in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent.

key words

Future studies - the library and information profession - the future of the library and information profession.