Hot Topics in Assessment, a LLAMA-MAES Discussion Group.
Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015
Speakers:
Terry Taylor, Associate University Librarian for Teaching, Learning, and Research Services, DePaul
University, ttaylor@depaul.edu
Terry described the grant-funded ERIAL Project in which librarians from 5 libraries were trained by two
anthropologists and served by consultant Dr. Nancy Foster to do ethnographic research and study how
students approach the research process. Through cognitive or mindmapping, they learned that students
were uncertain of research expectations and faculty requirements, students took instructors very
literally, students weren’t sure how they search process helped, and students would go back to the
librarian they knew when they needed help. Impacts of the research results included renaming the
reference desk and making it more visible, offering information literacy training for faculty, scaffolding
assignments made research easier for students and faculty, and creating messages to encourage
students to ask for help. http://www.erialproject.org/
Kirsten Kinsley, Assessment Librarian, Psychology and Criminology/Criminal Justice Liaison Librarian,
Florida State University, kkinsley@fsu.edu
Kirsten described a project using GoPro cameras to study wayfinding in the library. Following the “Think
Aloud” protocol of the University of Chicago, students were tasked with finding 3 items in the library.
Kirsten followed students as they searched, taking notes and encouraging, but not providing answers.
The wayfinding activity lasted 30 minutes; students who participated received gift cards. A follow-up
survey was also sent to the participants. Results included that students use a variety of tools; the study
demonstrated when they use maps, signs, and mobile devices, and students don’t understand how to
read call numbers. Impacts of the research results included changes made to online maps, staff
increased knowledge and understand undergraduates better, and directories were updated.
Terri Fishel, Library Director, Macalester College, fishel@macalester.edu
Terri described a new project that has just started in which they are working with a ethnographic class
of 12 upper-division students and 1 faculty member. They will determine the methods to study if the
new service desk arrangement and staff behavior helps students feel welcome and whether they were
able to achieve their goals. They will also be looking at how the reference interactions actually work.
They have a student consultation room for reference interactions, but staff aren’t always using it.
Neely J. Tang, Cornell University Library, nt243@cornell.edu
Neely described a new project “A Day in the Life of a Serious Researcher” which will start soon. Dr.
Nancy Foster is a consultant for this exploratory project which will consist of 20 participants completing
map logs of their information-seeking behavior, then participating in one-hour interview the following
day. The research team has 7 people. Participants will be 3 undergraduate students, 7 graduate
students, 3 junior faculty, and 7 senior faculty. Monetary incentives will be offered to participants. They
will use a transcription service for the recorded interviews because of the time required to transcribe.