Post on 16-Dec-2015
July 2006
Give graduate students what they want!WHAT THEY REALLY, REALLY
WANT
Dominic Hakim Silvio
Killam Memorial Library
Dalhousie University
July 2006
About Me
July 2006
Agenda
Introduction
Objectives of the session
Statement of problem
Research instrument
Findings/solutions
conclusions
July 2006
About You!
July 2006
Introduction
“an information literate person is an individual who is capable of realizing the need for information, finds, evaluates and effectively uses the information he or she needs” (ALA, 1989)
“studies done on user needs indicate a strong emphasis on planning user oriented services that can provide more responsive, effective and accountable service”
“the aim of the library and information literacy skills curriculum is not only to teach how to locate and access information sources but to develop logical and critical thinking in the students as well”
July 2006
Motivation
evaluate the library instruction given to graduate students taking into considerations:
their requirements from the library,
how the library can help them; and
what obstacles prevent them from successful exploitation of library resources.
July 2006
Objectives of the session
To share the results and successes of using user-centered approach
Reinforce the importance of librarians/specialists to conduct an ongoing user-centered studies
Teaching from the students perspective (Bottom-up teaching ≠ Top-down teaching)
Encourage ongoing dialogue among professors and librarians on research methodology to the end of improving student research skills.
July 2006
Statement of Problem
IL skills and BI based on professional judgement of two players (librarians & teaching faculty)
Instruction provided does not match students' immediate information needs
Assessment of user needs not done
Searchers vs. Finders
July 2006
Methodology
SurveysFor students both first & second year
Incoming first years (subsequently)
Focus group discussionStudents mainly first years
Faculty involved
Target-research method course.
July 2006
Survey Questions
How often do you use the library’s OPAC?
How often have you consulted a reference librarian?
How often have you consulted a Subject Specialists/ subject liaison librarian?
How often do you use Databases & online Journals?
How often have you used Interlibrary loan and document delivery services?
July 2006
Results of the Survey
How often do you use the library’s OPAC?
20/32 (63%) Very often
9/32 (28%) often
0/32 sometimes
0/32 seldom
3/32 (9%) never
OPAC Usage Frequency
0
5
10
15
20
25
OPAC Usage
July 2006
Results cont’d
How often have you consulted a reference librarian?
0/32 (0%) very often
0/32 (0%) often
24/32 (75%) sometimes
5/32 (16%) seldom
3/32 (9%) never
Reference Librarian
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Reference Librarian
July 2006
Results cont’d
How often have you consulted a Subject Specialists/ subject liaison librarian?0/32 (0%) very often0/32 (0%) often8/32 (25%) Sometimes8/32 (25%) Seldom16/32 (50%) Never
Subject Specialist Librarian
02468
1012141618
Subject SpecialistLibrarian
July 2006
Results cont’d
How often do you use Databases & online Journals?
0/32 (0%) very often
16/32 (50%) often
6/32 (19%) sometimes
6/32 (19%) Seldom
4/32 (12%) Never
Abstracts and indexes online
02468
1012141618
Abstracts and indexesonline
July 2006
Results cont’d
How often have you used interlibrary loan and document delivery services?
3/32 (9%) very often
10/32 (31%) often
6/32 (19%) sometimes
6/32 (19%) seldom
7/32 (22%) never
Interlibrary Loan
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Interlibrary Loan
July 2006
Focus GroupSample Questions
For more effective and efficient use of the library, graduate students need library instruction on how to use information sources in their subject areas?
Which sections or services in the library do you need the most help with to meet your information needs?
How do you feel about the library instruction offered to graduate students?
Do you think an in class library instruction session for graduate students is something worth attending?
July 2006
What Next?????
Two things agreed upon:
Orientation for both faculty and grad students
Advance library research session
July 2006
What the students & faculty say after?
Increased awareness of the significance of their role as researchers and not finders.
Increased awareness of the complexities of research process.
Increased self-confidence in their abilities as researchers.
Improvement in the quality of works cited for essays.
Better incorporation of academic resources in papers.
July 2006
Thanks.
Any Questions ?
July 2006
Test Your Knowledge!