Observing Student Researchers in their Native Habitat Internet Librarian International 2007 © 2007...

Observing Student Researchers in their Native Habitat

Internet Librarian International 2007

© 2007 ProQuest LLC. All Right Reserved.

The information contained within this presentation is proprietary to ProQuest LLC. Use without citation is strictly prohibited.

Law, John. Observing Students Researchers in their Native Habitat. Ann Arbor: ProQuest, 2007.

Proprietary and Confidential

ProQuest Information & Learning

Methodology – How the study was conducted

Ongoing research over multiple phases Field studies observing users in their native

environment Guided by a formal research plan and study

protocol




Study parameters Students actively engaged in performing

research for actual class assignments Conducted anonymously to avoid any bias Conducted onsite and remotely




How did we find students? Facebook



Screening Online survey



Who did we observe? Undergraduates Graduate students Variety of disciplines Mix of novice and sophisticated researchers




Coffee shopsThe library

Where did we go?



The libraryComputer labs

Where did we go?



Coffee shops

Where did we go?



Apartments

Where did we go?



Capturing the session (remote)



The student view



Findings – What we learned How students decide which resources to use

for their research How students use library resources How students are really using Google How social networking sites factor into

student research




How students choose resources Library outreach Course instructor Brand awareness

And Google




How students use library resources 95% of participants engaged library resources for

their research

Once in a licensed product, most students have no serious difficulties in conducting their research

Students often work with multiple resources and search tools at the same time

Abstracts are essential in identifying relevant articles




Chief inhibitors to success in using library resources

Lack of awareness

Difficulty navigating library website to locate appropriate e-resources

Search catalog front and center, for articles

Authentication barriers, especially considering limited access points




How students really use Google Primary research tool Supplement research Handy look-ups




Google as a primary research tool Sufficing, when quality isn’t a concern Insufficiently aware of library e-resources Bad experiences with library e-resources




Google as a handy look-up tool Locate know resources

Known sites (NGOs, museums, etc.)

Major newspapers

Library resources

Get specific answers General information about a topic

Definition of a term, e.g. p16 protein

Complete a citation for an article of interest




End-user surveys support these findings

~10,000 respondents Invited from ProQuest search interfaces Invited from Facebook ads at 3 universities




Thinking about library online databases in comparison to web search engines such as Google…

End-User Survey Question




0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ProQuest 2006

ProQuest 2007

Outside (Facebook)

Has better quality and credibility of content

Library databases Google

End-User Surveys




0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ProQuest 2006

ProQuest 2007

Outside (Facebook)

Has more useful search results


End-User Surveys




0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ProQuest 2006

ProQuest 2007

Outside (Facebook)

Has an easier to use search interface


End-User Surveys




End-User Surveys

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ProQuest 2006

ProQuest 2007

Outside (Facebook)

Is preferred for academic research and course assignments





0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

ProQuest 2006

ProQuest 2007

Outside (Facebook)

Is preferred for quick look up of facts and unfamiliar terms or concepts


End-User Surveys




How social networking sites factor into student research For the most part, they don’t

One student mentioned using it for a group project as a means for communication within the group

Facebook often used as study break; MySpace rarely used

One student mentioned using it for a group project as a means for communication within the group

Academic librarians are setting up Facebook profiles to create relationships with students




Recommendations Make resources discoverable

Simplify e-resources web page design

Address students perception that “the online catalog represents all library resources”

Authentication

Design access points for electronic resources from the students’ perspective

Build awareness – Get into the classroom In person

Via instructor

Via course pages




Formula For Academic Library Success*

Greater Awareness

+ Usable Websites

+ Flawless Authentication

= Better Results

* Courtesy Steven Bell via ACRL blog entry about these research findings [ http://acrlblog.org/2007/05/14/formula-for-academic-library-success ]© 2007 ProQuest LLC. All Right Reserved.



Thank youJohn LawDirector, Strategic Alliances & Platform Mgmt

Joanna Markel, MSIManager, User Experience Design

Serena Rosenhan, Ph.D. Specialist, User Experience Design

“To be successful in today’s world, those who define and build [research solutions] must know how to fit them into the fabric of everyday life.”

Beyer & Holtzblatt



For further information

Findings from ongoing research Information about pilot programs Opportunities to participate in study or pilots Final report on findings

Send email to [email protected]

with subject line “Student Research Behaviors”

Observing Student Researchers in their Native Habitat Internet Librarian International 2007 © 2007...

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