API Scoring for Teaching LIS / Librarians

[Dr.S.Kannan]

How to calculate API Score for Teaching LIS and for Librarians. Really I don't know. Let us discuss on this topic please.

[Dr.S.Kannan]

Dear Govind Yadav,

I know the API Score sheets. I just want to know, how to calculate...like is there any points for qualifications on core subject field, and additional qualifications, and experience count, etc...!

[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]

Dear Dr. S. Kannan,

You can calculate arithmetically on the basis of the score points. But, in practice, what are  scrutinized, are: (a) whether the candidate has published papers out of his/her M.Lib; M.Phil & Ph.D Dissertations and if yes, where. The  Selection board members, being seasoned professionals, are well aware of the journals and their standard. An article published in "Annals" & to day's so called UGC approved e-journals (having print versions too) published by some pvt. institute does not deserve the same points.

(b) Full Titles of the Dissertations. Often it happens that candidates choose nearly similar /allied topics for M.Lib/M.Phil & Ph.D Dissertations or similar methodologies. If the works are repetitive, the impression  varies. (c) Often it is observed that topics are somewhat common and  repetitive ; like ".....Information seeking pattern of...." with "..case Studies of .... scholars in ....University with indications of Subject Area. As I feel there are more than 500 Dissertations with same/similar titles of different Universities. So, such topics create a different mindset among the members. (d) If the members observe that the candidate has no significant publications besides dissertations, it also creates a different mindset.

Today when among every 50 applicants for an Asst. University Librarian Cadre post are Ph.Ds,  the API score are merely a criterion for scanning the applications and not beyond that. Specially with the advent of multiple choice question systems for NET, the scrutiny became more pronounced.

I must admit here that in many cases interviews are sometimes just "Eye Wash", but when proper selections are made for deserving candidates, the above scrutiny systems are practiced/followed. Personally speaking, while I act as a member in the selection Committee, I always adhere to such yardsticks.

Sincerely,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

[Dr.S.Kannan]

dear sir,

thanks for your communication. Its well said, that the API score are merely a criterion for scanning the applications and not beyond that. 

API Scores are counting the publications, research guidance and participation in conferences and workshops. An applicant must have n number of publications and research guidance, otherwise he/she can not apply for the job. And in my understanding the qualifications and experiences have no weightage. If so, shall we understand those who have publications and research focus and minimum qualification are eligible for job, without experience? I mean over the period of experience is just time waste and will not help to apply higher grade like Associate Professor and or Professor or Deputy Librarian and the Librarian?

Any one can clarify if I am wrong please.

[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]

Dear Dr. S. Kannan,

I saw your mail and as I felt, you caught me wrong.

The API Scores are for short listing the candidates till the final interview.

For example, say for one post of Dy. University Librarian, 150 applications are received and during scrutiny, it was found that 80 applicants have 200 or more API Score. As such, applications of only those 80 candidates will be considered. I am sure that you will agree with me that for a single vacancy, calling 80 candidates is not practicable & justified.

So, now the selection committee concentrates on those 80 applications to further shortlist, say, 15 candidate for the final interview. Here comes the question of "relevancy" & the API scores are further 'scrutinized on the parameters I had mentioned in my earlier post. 

"Experience" is certainly an important parameter but coined with the preposition 'relevant'. 

Like wise, for weightage  for publications is also an issue for consideration. For example, say, you have to choose from two candidates where each has 50 API score for being an EDITOR of a book and the other is  the sole AUTHOR of a book; both published from the same press. Who do you think more competent between these two? 

My vote certainly goes in favour of the AUTHOR as the entire book is his/her own intellectual outcome while the editor can never claim intellectual outcome of all the chapters/papers contributed by different individuals.

To conclude, let me cite an real life example. Nearly two decades ago, one of THE BEST Medical Research establishment (with a Hospital) advertised for the single post of Librarian and as I learnt, a thumping number of 267 candidates applied; 47 were preliminary shortlisted and finally 17 candidates were called for interview including 4 internal candidates.There was no API scoring system in those days and the Research Organization put their own criteria which was some what very much similar to the API scoring system.

I hope I could clarify my points.

Sincerely,

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta

[Dr.S.Kannan]

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your detailed reply. Suppose a person having Ph.D, Net qualification and long experience but he could not get the API scores as required for the post, because he has no publications and as a librarian, he don’t have research guidance, etc. How it is possible for him to apply? Plz let me clear sir.