Rioux on Social Justice: A Metatheory Approach

Metatheory in Library and Information Science: A Nascent Social Justice Approach

Kevin Rioux. "Metatheory in Library and Information Science: A Nascent Social Justice Approach." Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 51.1 (2010): 9-17.

This article explores the use of metatheory as an integrative conceptual tool that can help analyze, direct, and enhance theory building, professional practice, and professional preparation in LIS. The field's historic under-examination of metatheories is addressed, the nature of metatheory is explicated, and an emergent social justice metatheory for LIS is introduced, with the intention of encouraging discussion and increasing awareness of both metatheoretical approaches and social justice in LIS.

Keywords: metatheory, social justice, LIS education, theory-building, conceptual analysis