Using assessment techniques to guide library service improvements

Using assessment techniques to guide library service improvements Diane Wahl Beth Avery Annie Downey University of North Texas

Issues with research validity • Theory problems • Single Method problems • Researcher problems • Data problems

What is Triangulation?

Why Triangulation? • Validation • Balance • Widen • Deepen

Where We Started • LibQUAL+ Survey 2009 Results • Assessed problem areas by looking at items with largest superiority gaps • Superiority gap = the difference between what is perceived and what is desired

Largest Online User Superiority Gaps

Follow Up Focus Groups • Summer 2009 • Distance learners • Improvements to online services will benefit on campus users as well as remote users • Graduate students • Supports university-wide focus on research

Comparing LibQUAL+ Survey and Focus Group Results for Online Students

Comparing LibQUAL+ Survey and Focus Group Results for Graduate Students

Ethnographic Analysis by Anthropology Graduate Students • Fall 2010 • Graduate level Anthropology Dept. qualitative analysis classes • One on campus and one online • Used a variety of methods: • Focus groups • Interviews • Observations

Comparing LibQUAL+ Survey, Focus Group & Ethnographic Results for Online Students

Comparing LibQUAL+ Survey, Focus Group & Ethnographic Results for Graduate Students

Willis Library Observation Study • Pilot study • 1st floor only • One week in February 2011 • 4 times per day • Basic Findings • Average of 100 students on first floor at a time • Low: 20 • High: 172 • Roughly ¼ of students using laptops at any given time • Average # of workstations in use: 30 • Low: 8 • High: 59

Total Patrons by Time of Day

Patrons Alone or In Groups – Weekdays only

Comparison of LibQual 2011 to Willis Pilot Observation Study 2011

Brainstorming after Observations • Recommended by Nancy Foster (Library Anthropologist) • Brainstorm possible implications based on patterns of what students DO rather than what they say they want • Under utilized areas – W136 and Forum • Glassed in • Poor light • Don’t feel as comfortable; less feeling of student ownership • Highly used areas • Obviously for them + workstations = high use • Relaxed feel • Good light; open • Outlets

Using assessment techniques to guide library service improvements

Using assessment techniques to guide library service improvements

Presentation Transcript

Guide to Using the OSU Library For High School Visitors

Assessment of Service-Learning: Principles and Techniques

Using Diagnostic Assessment To Guide Timely Interventions

Using Transition Assessment to Guide IEP Development

Guide to Using Pinterest

Assessment Techniques

HOW TO GUIDE PAINTING TECHNIQUES

Guide to using AIMS

Chabot College Library Facility Improvements

Library Assessment Using the ACRL Standards:

Fu Can Cook: Using Chinese Cooking Techniques to Teach Library Instruction

Using TeamSTEPPS to Make Safety Improvements

Using Transition Assessment to Guide IEP Development

Using Classroom Assessment Techniques to Enhance Active Learning

Using Standardized Assessment to Guide Instruction and Leverage Collaboration

A GUIDE TO LIBRARY RESOURCES

Library Assessment using Web 2.0

Reservoir Uncertainty Assessment Using Machine Learning Techniques

Guide for Using Clarendon College’s Library Resources

A Guide to Library Research

ASSESSMENT OF CONCRETE USING NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES

Using Formative Assessment To Guide Instruction