| The purpose of this study was to develop and test a training design that would modify library students' attitudes towards a behavioral approach in library and information science and to examine several predictors of such attitude. The analysis of the literature showed that symptoms of resistance to the behavioral approach in library and information science, a concept still at the innovation stage, exist among library and information science professionals. The hypotheses stated that (1) whatever the initial resistance of the majority of the subjects, assessed on an instrument measuring attitude towards a behavioral approach to library and information science, the treatment will decrease resistance, and (2) that resistance to innovation and change in libraries, to the behavioral sciences and psychology, as measured by attitude scales, and exposure to the behavioral sciences, are stronger predictors of attitude towards the behavioral approach in library and information science than demographics and work experience.;Analysis of the data revealed (a) that the experimental treatment did not significantly change the subjects' attitude towards the behavioral approach to library and information science, (b) that there is a significant correlation between (1) sex, level of exposure to the behavioral sciences, attitude towards innovation and change in libraries, toward the behavioral sciences, towards psychology and (2) resistance to the behavioral approach to library and information science, but no significant correlation between (1) age, work experience and quality of exposure to the behavioral sciences, and (2) resistance to the behavioral approach to library and information science.;A quasi-experiment was performed at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Library and Information Science, during the Fall 1981, following a pre- and posttest, experimental and control group design. The subjects were library students enrolled in the required core courses, and the experimental treatment consisted of two workshop sessions utilizing small group techniques and readings. |
