What Actually Happens: An Ethnographic Investigation of Student - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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What Actually Happens: An Ethnographic Investigation of Student - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Feb 16, 2024 141 likes •643 views

What Actually Happens: An Ethnographic Investigation of Student Library Use Kimberly Mullins, LIU Post, New York Natasha Tomlin, LIU Post, New York Eamon Tewell, LIU Brooklyn, New York Research Team LIST OF PARTICIPANTS - BROOKLYN Katherine

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What Actually Happens:

An Ethnographic Investigation

  • f Student Library Use

Kimberly Mullins, LIU Post, New York Natasha Tomlin, LIU Post, New York Eamon Tewell, LIU Brooklyn, New York

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Research Team

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS - BROOKLYN Katherine Boss Valeda Dent Charles Guarria Rachel King Paula Patiño Susan Thomas Ingrid Wang Gloria Willson LIST OF PARTICIPANTS - POST Mary Kate Boyd-Byrnes Kathleen Burlingame Thomas Dillman Mellissa Hinton Kimberly Mullins Eduardo Rivera Derek Stadler Natalia Tomlin ETHNOGRAPHIC CODING TEAM MEMBERS Valeda Dent Edward Keane Kimberly Mullins Paula Patiño Bhavya Teja Kolla Eamon Tewell Natasha Tomlin

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Background

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Our University

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Our Study’s Timeline

Summer 2012 IRB approval received Fall 2012 Survey distributed Spring 2013 Observations conducted Spring 2013 Interviews conducted Spring 2014 Coding process started Spring 2016 Coding process completed

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Ethnographic Research

  • The study of a culture to improve one’s understanding of it
  • Investigates few cases in thorough detail
  • Qualitative methods, rooted in anthropology:

participant observation, in-depth interviews, etc.

  • Time intensive!
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Why?

  • Examine our local culture of student research habits
  • Provide need-based services
  • Make ethnography a consistent and ongoing practice
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Previous Major Studies

  • University of Rochester “Studying Students” Project

http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=2322

  • Rutgers Ethnographic Research Project

http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/rul/staff/groups/ethnography/reports. shtml

  • University of Illinois ERIAL Project

http://www.erialproject.org

  • CUNY Undergraduate Scholarly Habits Ethnography Project

https://ushep.commons.gc.cuny.edu

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Our Study: Mixed Methods Research

SURVEYS OBSERVATIONS INTERVIEWS

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Data Collection

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Survey Overview

  • Fifty-one questions on technology

integration, library use, and research and study habits

  • Administered Fall 2012
  • 1100+ responses
  • Used survey data to create interview

questions

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Sample Survey Questions

“Have you had any library instruction while at Long island University?” “During the last academic year, how often was the Libraries' website a basic part of your research process?” “Which of these resources do you use most often?” “Would you use text messaging to get an answer to a reference

  • r research question from the LIU Libraries?”
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LIU Post Survey Team

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Survey Kick-Off Party

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Survey Demographics

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Observation Overview

  • 32 hours of unobtrusive observations in the Post and

Brooklyn Libraries

  • Recorded field notes
  • Recorded interpretations
  • Used observational data to create interview questions
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Observation Recording Sheet

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Interview Overview

  • Recruited interviewee during the survey stage
  • Conducted 30 one-hour semi-structured interviews
  • Included “show me” questions
  • Videotaped and professionally transcribed audio
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Interview Questions

“When you get an assignment for a class, what is the very first thing you do?” “Do you seek help from library personnel?” “When you study in the library, do you prefer to be around

  • ther students, or have more of your own personal space?”
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Interview Demographics

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Data Analysis

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Survey Analysis

1. Library staff and graduate student entered data into SPSS 2. Quantitatively analysed closed-ended questions using proprietary survey software 3. Performed content analysis for open-ended questions

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Survey Analysis

  • 4. Graphically depicted major themes to

identify “areas of focus”

  • 5. Themes further analyzed
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Survey Analysis

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Observation and Interview Codebook

1. Started with observations and sample interview word counts 2. Added codes identified through coding process (6 iterations) 3. Resulted in 459 codes at question, unit, and thematic levels

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Observation Coding

1. Combined into one document and analyzed for frequency counts 2. Read field notes and coded the text 3. Library staff and graduate student entered data into SPSS 4. Statistical analysis performed

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Interview Coding

1. Transcripts coded individually, by pairs and as a team (4 coders) 2. Paired teams and entire team reconciled coding to ensure inter-coder reliability 3. Library staff and graduate student entered data into SPSS 4. Statistical analysis performed

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Findings

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Survey Findings

  • 75% of students received some type of instruction on how

to utilize the Library and its resources

  • 60% of students use the Libraries’ website between 1 and 4

times per week

  • Students use Google and the Libraries’ databases equally

to complete their work

  • Majority of students were not taking advantage of

University iPad program

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Observation Findings

  • Coming and going; leaving personal items
  • “Cocooning”
  • Multitasking supported by technology
  • Seated in groups but working individually
  • Headphones for music or to signal need for uninterruption
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Interview Findings

  • Students go to peers and instructors first for research

questions; embarrassed to approach librarians

  • Creation of study materials using flash card apps or

compiling materials in iBooks app

  • Need for more comfortable spaces and extended library

hours

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Library & Non-Library Resources

Interview Findings

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Interview Findings

Use of Library Resources

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Interview Findings

Use of Library Space

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Triangulation

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SURVEY INTERVIEW

Library Instruction

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INTERVIEW SURVEY

Print vs. eBooks

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INTERVIEW SURVEY

Librarian Contact

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INTERVIEW SURVEY

Non-Library Resources

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  • Librarians are the third point of reference
  • Students DO evaluate sources
  • Students prefer shelf browsing
  • Signage is important

Important “Triangulation” Tidbits

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Changes Made

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Instruction

  • At one campus, basic library instruction and an

information literacy exam were integrated within the first semester curriculum

  • At another campus, librarians performed syllabus

analysis for various Departments to identify library instruction opportunities

  • Librarians became involved in Learning Communities to

communicate directly with students early in their academic careers

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  • Extended hours
  • Website redesign
  • Skype by appointment

Reference Services

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Space Modifications

  • Both libraries underwent renovations that include

additional group study areas and natural light

  • A “lounge environment”

and group tables were added

  • “Genius Bar” workspace

was implemented

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Post Library Renovations

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Brooklyn Library Renovations (Before)

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Brooklyn Library Renovations (After)

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Questions?

Kimberly.Mullins@liu.edu Natalia.Tomlin@liu.edu Eamon.Tewell@liu.edu @EamonTewell