Study on Library and Information Science Master Alumni Employment and Master Program Value at Taiwan

• Published in: Jiàoyù zīliào yǔ túshūguǎn xué Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 7 - 34
• Main Authors: Wang, Mei-Ling, Chang, Jing-Yu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Chinese; English
• Published: Tamkang Tamkang University, Department of Information and Library Science 01.03.2020; Tamkang University Press
• Subjects: Employment; employment survey; Graduate studies; job satisfaction; Labor market; Library and information science; master programs evaluation; outcome evaluation; taiwan; Taiwan
• ISSN: 1013-090X; 2309-9100
• DOI: 10.6120/JoEMLS.202003_57(1).0036.RS.AM

Due to changes in job market for the library and information science(LIS) field, the education evaluation can understand the effectiveness of the LIS master programs. This article discusses the employment status of the LIS master graduates and evaluates the value of the master programs in Taiwan. The study adopted survey method, from April 24 to May 31, 2018 and sent the questionnaires to master graduates from the six LIS master's programs graduated during the period of 2011-2018. A total of 495 questionnaires were sent, and 182 responses were collected with a response rate of 36.36%. This study constructed competency model consisting of five dimensions with 27 indicators assessing the work application of graduates. The study shows that the employment market of LIS master graduates at Taiwan has changed, with library workers accounting for 50.5%, which is less than before, and graduate employment has expanded to more information institutions. Overall, LIS graduates rated program provision of knowledge and skills with score 3.87(Likert 5 points), and most highly in the following areas: research and planning, personal management, information skills, and LIS foundation and service knowledge. The lowest rating was given to the area: administration and management. The overall satisfaction of graduate work is 3.66, and the satisfaction of library work graduates is higher than that of non-library institutions. The overall satisfaction of the graduates in the evaluation of the master programs is 4.15, and the overall agreement of the graduates on the value of the master's program is 3.89. The value of the LIS master programs in Taiwan is related to the master program satisfaction, competency application in work and job satisfaction. Graduates from different schools, graduates of libraries and non-library work, have different views on the value of the LIS master programs.