Studying Students:

The Undergraduate Research Project at the University of Rochester

Katie ClarkAssociate Dean, Public Services

April 8, 2009

Project Background

• IMLS grant 2003-2004 to study faculty work practices

• Libraries hired an anthropologist• Used ethnographic methods• Results made us want to learn more

Methodologies Used

–Retrospective interviews–Photo Surveys–Mapping diaries–Interviews in student union–Late night dorm visits–Design workshops for web page–Design Charettes

Retrospective Interviews:

What do students really do when they write research papers?

Excerpts Retrospective Interviews“And from there, I just kind of poked around and it’s pretty simple to get the general understanding of how it works. Just trial and error and using what I already know about internet searches.“

Interviewer: “Was that the instructor who ran [the session]?”

Student: “About how to research …? No, it was, I don’t even know who it was, just someone who works in the library."

Students . . .• Worked on papers in chunks, with days or

weeks in between• Asked family and friends for help choosing a

topic or editing their papers• Use Google, but not only Google• Did evaluate resources – just not all the ways

that librarians recommend• Didn’t remember who gave their library session

Something you couldn’t live without

Your favorite place to study

What do you always carry with you?

Students…• Are on the go for hours at a time• Do more than just attend classes• Eat quick meals, at odd times, sometimes

just snacking wherever they are• Carry their belongings with them• Use technology everywhere• Peek study time 11 p.m. – 1 a.m.

“To participate, you must:

• Be an undergraduateAND• Working on a paper

that requires you to find books and/or articles

OR• Working on a project

that requires you to find data”

Late Night @ Student Union• No problem finding materials for their

papers• Some problems organizing and writing

the papers• Knew about the college writing center• Ask professors and TA’s for help• Perception: Librarians = Print• All expect to do well

Late Night Dorm Visits

Renovation: New Student Space• Collaborative study spaces (designs)• 24/7 (diaries)• Power and data (designs)• Importance of food (designs & diaries)• Comfortable seating (photos & diaries)• Lots of big tables (designs)• Local Response

Large bay windows“This is awesome! I think I may live here.”

• 8 group study rooms• First come, first served

Student Reactions:

• “This is the new facebook “• “I love Gleason. Love. ” • “OMG, a whiteboard!" 

GROUP STUDY

“This is really awesome!  The new hotspot on campus .”

“Helicopter” Parents

• Research & writing assistance (interviews)

• Ease of communication (photos)

• Local response

Whoooo’s working late?

Night Owl Librarians

Help with assignments and papers

Sunday – WednesdayMarch 26 - 29 and April 2 – 5

until 11 PM

Call: 275-4478 Rush Rhees Reference

275-4465 Carlson Library Reference

IM: askURlibrary

• Understand how undergrads live and work• Understand undergrad use of library• High staff participation & engagement -- 34 of 117 staff members (30%) participated• New organizational culture -- ”When I was in college…” -- Appreciation -- Don’t guess, just ask

Implications

http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlpubs/downloadables/Foster-Gibbons_cmpd.pdf