Now let's have a final look at the learning objectives of the internship and how I met those goals:
Learning Objective #1: I would like to assist with collection development/management
and weeding. Special collections tribal newspaper project at Tahlelquah campus.
Learning Objective #2: I would like to acquire experience performing research via a survey instrument. Website satisfaction survey via Google Forms.
Learning Objective #3: I would like to acquire hands-on experience serving patrons at the
Reference and Circulation desk. Two introductory sessions working the front desk. COVID-19 shutdown made it difficult to develop this further.
Learning Objective #4: I would like to acquire experience preparing for and participating in Library
instruction. Sat in on three instructional session of the library and assisted librarian in organizing a online video presentation. I developed a LibGuide on copyright issues that will be used on the library's website.
Learning Objective #5: I would like to develop the organizational skills required to catalog and classify special collections. There was some exposure to this in my work in Tahlequah.
I am very glad that I pursued an internship for the 2020 Spring semester. I feel very fortunate to have been working with Dr. Louderback for what turned out to be a very difficult Spring. The closures of COVID-19 turned everyone's world upside down. Thankfully, the ongoing web survey and the LibGuide project gave me a chance to work remotely and complete the internship. While I would have liked to have participated more in the regular daily remote operations of the library during the crisis, I realize that the logistics of that would have been very difficult to work out. She had quite a bit on her plate in adapting the library to an all virtual environment, and yet she always had time to answer my questions or provide general direction.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
How to Conduct a Survey: Part 6 5/04/20
We cut off public access to the survey on Friday, May 1st. Since the survey went live on April 4th, the survey was open to the public for four weeks. There was some confusion about the total respondents (there was a difference in the number of people who started and completed the survey). We ended up with 177 completed surveys. This was not quite the number I was hoping for, but COVID-19 and the closure of the public building probably had something to do with the lower than expected total.
The survey was through Google forms and there are a number of ways you can break down the data and create graphs. The last few days I have been trying to discern patterns, themes, or stories to be told from the survey responses, especially from the open ended questions.
The process of finding a story to tell, presenting the data, and polishing the presentation for the publishing of an article will be a project that will outlast my internship. Dr. Louderback is eager to work with me until completion of this project.
A few quick takeaways from the experience:
The survey was through Google forms and there are a number of ways you can break down the data and create graphs. The last few days I have been trying to discern patterns, themes, or stories to be told from the survey responses, especially from the open ended questions.
The process of finding a story to tell, presenting the data, and polishing the presentation for the publishing of an article will be a project that will outlast my internship. Dr. Louderback is eager to work with me until completion of this project.
A few quick takeaways from the experience:
- Ideally, someone conducting a survey for the first time at an academic institution should begin the process several months in advance. While my project qualified for an expedited review, there were many details that were overlooked in the hustle to get paperwork and applications in in a timely fashion.
- When conducting a survey, it is important to identify very clearly all the possible kinds people who may find and take the survey. I made a mistake of assuming everyone taking the survey had actually visited the website. It turns out that many faculty and staff had not, but all of the questions assumed they had! I believe this led to the discrepancy between the total number who began the survey, and those who completed it.
- If I ever have the opportunity to do this again, I think I will spend more time refining the goals and purposes of the survey. In other words, writing very specific questions that need answering.
- In going over the responses to the survey, I'm thrilled that the information might be used by the NSU staff in current efforts to restructure the website. It seems important that student internship work actually benefit the partnering institution.
Overall, I very much enjoyed the experience of conducting a survey and am looking forward to putting this skill to use in future professional endeavors.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
How to Conduct a Survey: Part 5 4/17/20
The OU deferral process ended up being a bit more complicated than I expected. The entire process of applying and submitting required documentation is online. While IRB advisors were helpful, the online format was a bit confusing to operate and led to a delay in the approval of the deferral, which finally happened on Aril 27th.
What was very helpful and eye-opening was the required CITI Program training course entitled:
"Human Research - Social Behavioral Modules" The course kept me busy for an entire week of internship hours under lockdown. It provides an overview of the legal and ethical frameworks that inform the modern practice of researching human subjects. While this survey is relatively benign, it turns out there that are very valid historical reasons for why we have attach a complex series of checks and safeguards on this kind of research.
What was very helpful and eye-opening was the required CITI Program training course entitled:
"Human Research - Social Behavioral Modules" The course kept me busy for an entire week of internship hours under lockdown. It provides an overview of the legal and ethical frameworks that inform the modern practice of researching human subjects. While this survey is relatively benign, it turns out there that are very valid historical reasons for why we have attach a complex series of checks and safeguards on this kind of research.
A great example of this is research involving prisoners. In the past, prisoners were often coerced into research that caused them undue harm - simply because they were a population of convenience. Today, it must be demonstrated that research involving prisons is actually being conducted for the benefit of prison populations. In other words, you can't use them in your study on a general research question simply because they are more willing to participate, more concentrated in one area, easier to incentivize, etc...
Another example is the importance of consent in conducting research on human subjects. Unless it is absolutely necessary that some information be withheld for the research to be successful(so long as there is no serious risk to the patient), participants must be informed of the nature and objective of the study, as well as any risks or benefits that have been foreseen.
Since I was applying for a deferral to publish the results of the survey, and not for conducting the survey itself, we were green-lighted to begin the survey on April the 5th. As of April 17th, there were over 200 participants in the survey. Dr. Louderback and I decided to leave the survey up until Friday, May 1st. That was a good balance of giving the student and faculty body a chance to respond while giving me enough time to analyze the data and put together an article summarizing the results.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
How to Conduct a Survey: Part 4 3/27/20
Since I am an intern attached to Oklahoma University, the IRB director initially thought I needed to get IRB approval from OU to conduct the survey. It turned out, that was not the case, but I would have to get one if I planned to publish the results of the survey. Since this was our intention from the beginning, I contacted the IRB office in Norman. As it turned out, a representative would have office hours at the Schusterman library (where I worked as a Grad Assistant) the following day. This was the second week of March, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down America.
I would also need to take a introductory course required of all students and faculty engaging in research. Available through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative website (citiprogram.org), this course is meant to familiarize beginners with the law and ethical principles involved in research of human subjects.
The representative explained that in order to publish, I would need to apply for a deferral to the NSU IRB in order to publish the results. This meant I would not need to go through the standard IRB process at OU, but simply fill out a short application with proof of approval from NSU.
How to Conduct a Survey: Part 3 3/17/20
Here is the survey itself:
NSU Libraries Website User Experience Survey
Contact information for the PI and faculty sponsor:
Brian Desmarais, brian.p.desmarais-1@ou.edu
Dr. Pamela Louderback, 918-449-6452, louderba@nsuok.edu
Purpose of the Study:
This research study will gather information regarding patron use of the NSU Libraries website (https://library.nsuok.edu/). The purpose is to understand better who uses the website, how the website has been used, what the website is doing well in its users’ opinions, and what could be improved about the website in the future.
Procedures to be followed:
You are being asked to participate in a brief survey consisting of 13 questions. These questions will address your usage of the NSU Libraries Website, and what you think the website is doing well and what could be improved. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the study, and you must have used the NSU library website in the past.
Discomforts and Risks:
There are no risks in participating in this research.
Benefits:
The information we get from this study, disseminated to other librarians, may help to inform them of how the website is helping library patrons and what areas might need improvement. You will have an opportunity to request the results of the survey by e-mail.
Duration:
It will take approximately 3-8 minutes to complete this survey.
Statement of Confidentiality:
This study is online and anonymous. Your responses will contain no information that identifies you personally. Your place of employment will not be informed in any way of your participation or the content of your responses.
If you wish, you may include your e-mail address at the end of the survey in order to be informed of the results of the study once it has concluded. There is no way of connecting your answers to your e-mail address.
Right to Ask Questions:
Please contact either of the principal investigators if you have questions about the study.
Brian Desmarais, brian.p.desmarais-1@ou.edu
Dr. Pamela Louderback, 918-449-6452, louderba@nsuok.edu
You may also ask the IRB by contacting: Dr. Jim Ferrell, irb@nsuok.edu, 918-444-3722.
Voluntary Participation and Right to Withdraw:
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time and may also decline to answer any questions that you do not want to answer. You can end your participation at any time by simply closing the browser before submitting your response.
Informed Consent
Your completion and return of this survey implies your consent to participate in the study and your assertion that you are over 18 years of age and either work or have worked in a library.
Brian Desmarais, brian.p.desmarais-1@ou.edu
Dr. Pamela Louderback, 918-449-6452, louderba@nsuok.edu
Purpose of the Study:
This research study will gather information regarding patron use of the NSU Libraries website (https://library.nsuok.edu/). The purpose is to understand better who uses the website, how the website has been used, what the website is doing well in its users’ opinions, and what could be improved about the website in the future.
Procedures to be followed:
You are being asked to participate in a brief survey consisting of 13 questions. These questions will address your usage of the NSU Libraries Website, and what you think the website is doing well and what could be improved. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in the study, and you must have used the NSU library website in the past.
Discomforts and Risks:
There are no risks in participating in this research.
Benefits:
The information we get from this study, disseminated to other librarians, may help to inform them of how the website is helping library patrons and what areas might need improvement. You will have an opportunity to request the results of the survey by e-mail.
Duration:
It will take approximately 3-8 minutes to complete this survey.
Statement of Confidentiality:
This study is online and anonymous. Your responses will contain no information that identifies you personally. Your place of employment will not be informed in any way of your participation or the content of your responses.
If you wish, you may include your e-mail address at the end of the survey in order to be informed of the results of the study once it has concluded. There is no way of connecting your answers to your e-mail address.
Right to Ask Questions:
Please contact either of the principal investigators if you have questions about the study.
Brian Desmarais, brian.p.desmarais-1@ou.edu
Dr. Pamela Louderback, 918-449-6452, louderba@nsuok.edu
You may also ask the IRB by contacting: Dr. Jim Ferrell, irb@nsuok.edu, 918-444-3722.
Voluntary Participation and Right to Withdraw:
Participation in this study is voluntary. You may withdraw at any time and may also decline to answer any questions that you do not want to answer. You can end your participation at any time by simply closing the browser before submitting your response.
Informed Consent
Your completion and return of this survey implies your consent to participate in the study and your assertion that you are over 18 years of age and either work or have worked in a library.
Please select your affiliation with the Northeastern State University Libraries
Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
Faulty or Staff
Public User
Other:
How far away from an NSU campus library do you live?
0-5 miles
5-10 miles
10-30 miles
30 or more miles away
How often do you visit one of the libraries on campus? (if you are a student or staff member, this applies to when school is in session)
Never
Infrequently
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
What is your most common reason for visiting the NSU libraries website?
Library catalog or journal search
Find library hours or directions to the library
Contact research librarians
Find instructional resources or research guides (called “libguides”)
To request an interlibrary loan
“Ask a Librarian” live chat
Other:
On a scale of 1-5 (1=worst, 5=best), please rank your experience with searching the library catalog:
Poor
1
Excellent
On a scale of 1-5 (1=worst, 5=best), please rank your experience with accessing electronic journals and/or e-books.
Poor
1
Excellent
On a scale of 1-5 (1=worst, 5=best), please rank your experience with using writing and citation style resources.
Poor
1
Excellent
On a scale of 1-5 (1=worst, 5=best), please rank your experience with “Ask a librarian” live chat.
Poor
1
Excellent
On a scale of 1-5 (1=worst, 5=best), please rank your experience with ordering interlibrary loans.
Poor
1
Excellent
On a scale from 1-5, please rank your satisfaction with the overall NSU libraries website.
Poor
1
Excellent
Are there any “libguides” (resource pages centered on a particular topic) that you would like to see on the NSU libraries website?
If you were building the NSU libraries homepage, list up to five things you would like to see and access directly on that page.
Do you have any additional comments about anything you would like to see on the website?
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