ACRL 2009--Studying Your Students: Adapting Research from the University of Rochester Study

Presenters:

• Christine  Inkster MA English, MLS, Ed.D.
  Coordinator of LR&TS Assessment, St. Cloud State University 
• Jennifer  Quinlan 
  Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian, St. Cloud State University 
• Michael  Gorman 
  Reference Librarian, St. Cloud State University 
• Katie  Clark 
  Associate Dean, Public Services & Collection Development, University of Rochester

University of Rochester
Katie Clark form the University of Rochester provided the context for the University of Rochester Library Undergraduate Study. At Rochester, they were less interested in solving a particular problem, but in understanding what the world likes like (or at least libraryland) through an undergraduate's eyes.  They used a variety of ethnographic research methods to conduct the study:

Retrospective Interviews

• students who had just completed a research paper were asked to draw every step in their research process
• a researcher interviewed the student, that interview was videotaped and transcribed
• students were recruited via Teaching Assistants who announced a call for volunteers. 
• students were compensated with $10

Photo Surveys

• students were given disposable cameras and asked to take pictures of where they study
• researchers had a list of 15 things they wanted pictures of
• students were then interviewed about pictures--learned that needed to do these interviews kind of quickly, as some students forgot what the photos were
• used snowball recruiting
• students were compensated with $10

Mapping diary

• students given a map of campus and asked to pick a week day and mark everywhere they went during that day/night
• students were recruited via email
• students were compensated with $10

Space Design Workshops

• students asked to imagine a new library space and how they would want it designed

Late night dorm visits

• student volunteers were arranged through RAs
• teams of two visited dorm rooms at 10pm on a weeknight

Also studied

• what do students who are not in the library think about research? (they went to the student union)
• what are you doing in this space--used a flipchart, wrote question, left the flipchart, came back a few hours later or the next day.  Also picked a space and observed.

St. Cloud State University Library

Research methods used by SCSU Librarians

• Created a profile of SCSU students using NSSE and other existing data.  Also mined data sources from across campus to learn what percentage of students came from a non-metro high school, types of classes taken (lecture, distance, etc . . ).  Once profile was created, they shared the information with all of the campus offices that helped.

• Walk and count study--used a chart with activities, walk through library about 12x each fall, sampling all times day and night.  Note things like working alone and group study.  Used this info decide quiet and group study zones

Ideas for K-State Libraries
Can also study faculty, grad students and staff
Recruit at moment of need--Rochester had luck putting out a sign at the Help Desk
Camera project--give students access to Flickr account (change password as soon as over)