Grad student needs assessment

May 2014 Subject Librarians MeetingJessica Hagman, Hilary Bussell, Chris Guder

What? Why?

● Should we continue offering workshops? If so, on what? Format?

● Needs assessment● Tied to strategic plan ● Mixed methods approach ● ALAO Grant● IRB approval

Pt 1: Focus groups & interviews

● June 2013● Recruited via email, library news blog,

social media● 6 in-person focus groups, 9 online

interviewso 34 total participants

Findings from qualitative study

● Needed skillso Info-seeking/managemento Personality traits, intellectual skills

● Preference for timing of library instruction o Online students: Close as possible to assignmento On-campus students: Multiple points during

program● Preferred format for learning new skills

o Online videos/tutorials

Qualitative to Quantitative

● Individual Coding ● Group review, develop a standard code list● Re-code using standard list. ● Translate (some) codes → questions

o Skills identified in focus groups o Experiences as grad student and with

library

Pt.2: Survey Distribution

● Qualtrics Online Survey Software● Office of University Registrar● Distributed by email, first week in April● Response rate good/proportionate● Moolah! (Ten $50 gift cards)

Graduate Students % of Grad Students Respondents % of Respondents

Arts & Sciences 700 15.6 181 21.5

Business 680 15.2 87 10.3

Communication 192 4.3 45 5.3

Education 718 16.0 144 17.1

Engineering & Technology

426 9.5 70 8.3

Fine Arts 245 5.5 40 4.8

Graduate College 132 2.9 9 1.1

GVS Leadership & Pub Affairs

69 1.5 17 2.0

Health Sci & Professions

1207 26.9 215 25.5

International Studies 117 2.6 33 3.9

Totals 4486 100.0 842 100.0 -.1

Yes=330 No=187 NS=261

Skills QuestionsHighest Means (Three Highest): 1. Cite Sources in the Appropriate Style 4.052. Identify Previously Published Research on Your Topic 3.903. Access the Full Text of Previously Published Work 3.86

Lowest Means (Four Lowest): 4. When to End the Search for Previously Pub Research 3.115. Preparing a Conference Proposal 3.076. Successfully Apply for Grant Funding for Your Research 2.557. Determine Where to Publish Your Research 2.488. Identify Sources of Grant Funding for Your Research 2.44

Athens vs e-Campus Experience

Staff available to answer questions 4.10 vs 3.71 (4.01)Staff are able to answer my questions 4.07 vs 3.92 (4.04)

Have access to resources I need through Libraries 3.68 vs 3.47 (3.63)Well-informed about resources available through Libraries 3.95 vs 3.68 (3.88)Program and Coursework helped learn research skills 3.66 vs 3.51 (3.62)Undergrad program prepared me for Grad work 3.23 vs 3.33 (3.26)

Potential Next Steps

● Continued data analysis● Multiple types of instruction/outreach

o Workshopso Short online videos

● Content of instructiono Grants, publishing, conferences, technology

● Campus partners

Questions?