the personal networks of novice librarian researchers
TRANSCRIPT
The Personal Networks of Novice Librarian
Researchers Marie R. Kennedy David P. Kennedy
Kristine Brancolini
Agenda
Background on IRDL IRDL goals Assessment plan
(highlighting social network analysis)
Background on IRDL Grew out of a December 2010 survey
conducted by Brancolini and Kennedy * Surveyed academic librarians regarding their
research experience, research confidence, and perceived barriers to conducting research
*Kennedy, Marie R. & Brancolini, Kristine R. (2012). “Academic librarian research: A survey of attitudes, involvement, and perceived capabilities.” College & Research Libraries 73(5): 431-448.
IMLS grant funds IRDL
Funded by IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, 2013-2016
To create a learning experience and support network for academic and research librarians
IRDL Summer Workshop
Centerpiece of the program is a nine-day summer research “boot camp” for academic and research librarians
Convened on the LMU|LA campus June 15-26, 2014
IRDL goal
Increase the number of academic librarians with specific research skills in conducting and disseminating the results of research
Assessment plan for IRDL
Four-part assessment plan: ◦ Scoring of research proposals ◦ Social network analysis ◦Mastery of curriculum content ◦ Confidence
Assessment plan for IRDL
Four-part assessment plan: ◦ Scoring of research proposals
◦Social network analysis ◦Mastery of curriculum content ◦ Confidence
Research question
Does participating in IRDL have an effect on the persistence (or loss) and social support of people in the personal networks of the Scholars?
Methods
Survey using EgoWeb 2.0 Repeated: ◦ before the summer workshop ◦ after the summer workshop ◦ six months after the workshop ◦ one year after the workshop
Methods (continued)
Design Population Instrument
EgoWeb 2.0 Open-source survey software Easily create social network data collection instruments ◦ Generate lists of network members “Who is in the network?” ◦ Ask questions about network members “What are the characteristics of these people?” ◦ Ask about connections among network
members “How are they connected to each other?”
EgoWeb 2.0: Network Elicitation
Generate a list of collaborators
EgoWeb 2.0: Network Composition
How do they impact the respondent’s research?
EgoWeb 2.0: Network Structure
Are they connected to each other?
EgoWeb 2.0: Data Processing
Visually analyze each interview within EgoWeb or export raw data to other analysis software
Adjust display settings
Preliminary results
Time 1 to Time 3 comparisons Number of people with whom the Scholars had research interactions
average range
T1 (pre-IRDL) 11.26 5-20
T2 (post-IRDL) 24.78 8-40
T3 (6 months post-IRDL)
16.13 5-42
Stability in the network
Observe those network members identified in only one wave, in two waves, or all three waves. Purpose: Did participation in IRDL affect
their network composition?
Stability of total network composition
T1 T2 T3
abs. % abs. % abs. % only one mention 255 54% 570 63% 371 58%
only T1 and T2 72 15% 72 8%
only T1 and T3 7 1% 7 1%
only T2 and T3 116 13% 116 18%
all T 141 30% 141 16% 141 22%
Total 475 100% 899 100% 635 100%
Support Personal friend Professional
colleague Both friend and
colleague
abs. % abs. % abs. % I'm usually asking this person for advice or help
12 67% 31 55% 25 37%
I'm usually giving this person advice or help
0 0% 1 2% 5 7%
It's pretty even; I ask for help but also give help in equal amounts
6 33% 24 43% 37 55%
Total 18 100% 56 100% 67 100%
Visualization of the IRDL networks
Time 1, pre-IRDL Density = 0.321 Max Degree = 4
Visualization of the IRDL networks
Time 2, post-IRDL Density = 0.608 Max Degree = 27
Visualization of the IRDL networks
Time 3, 6 months post-IRDL Density = 0.267 Max Degree = 6
Benefits of using EgoWeb 2.0
Web-based Intuitive to program Easy for the respondent to use (UI)
Future research
T4 of cohort 1 T1 of cohort 2 Is the network composition a predictor of
an IRDL Scholar disseminating results of research?
Questions, comments, suggestions?
For additional information about IRDL: http://irdlonline.org For additional information about EgoWeb: http://egoweb.info
Background article: Kennedy, Marie R. & Brancolini, Kristine R. (2012). “Academic librarian research: A survey of attitudes, involvement, and perceived capabilities.” College & Research Libraries 73(5): 431-448.
Contact us: ◦ Marie Kennedy ([email protected]) ◦ David P. Kennedy ([email protected]) ◦ Kristine Brancolini ([email protected])