Interviewing scientists for their library and information needs Jeffery Loo [email protected] April 2010
Interviewing scientists for their library and information needs
Jeffery [email protected]
April 2010
a study to understand scientists’ library and information needs
Study goals
1Identify best practices for information activitiesLearn and then promoteAssess gap between perceived and actual
2Identify information resources and services needed
results will help determine priorities for planning
What is the study’s approach?
interviews – open ended conversations
Advantages of interviews
open-ended questionscast a wide net
rich responses
understand context and natural setting
two birds with one stoneunderstand needsand explain library services
Challenges of interviews and their resolution
qualitative responses may not be representative conduct quantitative surveys later
labor intensive an ongoing exercise
false impressions, false expectations, overhype remind participant of the research goal
How do the interviews work?
snowball samplingbegin with known contacts their contacts their contacts
6 degrees of separation interview a diverse group
Methodology
email participants to arrange meeting
interviews are anonymousde-identified quotes for reports
fundamental research
objectives
associated information
activities
supportive information services, resources, tools
Q: Best practices?
checkmark those activities that they …• find easy to accomplish• feel works well• feel confident about
why?
what advice for fellow researchers?
Q: What needs improvement?
circle items that are unnecessarily complicated
why?
what would be helpful?
conclude the study
requests for resources and services?
questions?
data collectionnotes on laptop computertranscribe salient dialogue
How will the results be used?
Gather ideas and suggestions for:
promotion and marketing of existing resources
potential acquisition of new resources
potential services development
instructional opportunities
library planning
Haiku summary
Good service meets yourneeds, experiences – let’sinterview, then plan.