Usability Testing for e-Resource Discovery: How Students Find and Choose e-Resources Using Library Web Sites

In early 2010, library staff at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio designed and conducted a usability study of key parts of the library web site, focusing on the web pages generated by the library's electronic resources management system (ERM) that list and describe the library's databases. The goal was to discover how users find and choose e-resources and identify ways the library could improve access to e-resources through its web site. This article outlines the usability study conducted at BGSU, presents its conclusions about how students at BGSU find and choose databases, contextualizes these findings with other current research about user behavior, and makes recommendations for increasing student use of library e-resources.     

Researching Grandfather's Secrets: Rummaging in the Odd Fellow and Masonic Attics

La historia de las organizaciones ritualistas no ha recibido la importancia que merece dentro del área de estudios internatcionales. Estados Unidos ha sido un gran ispirador y promotor de organizaciones tales como la Masonería. La Masonería es una organización que ha existido desde hace varios siglos y se encuentra esparcida por todo el mundo. Tanto ésta como otras organizaciones secretas ritualistas tiene un gran acervo histórico, el cual, sus miembros han acumulado a través del tiempo en archivos y bibliotecas que vale la pena visitar. En esta investigación discutiremos por qué es importante dedicar mayor atención a dichas organizaciones y también se discutirán las diferencias de estas organizaciones en algunos países.     

Teaching text comprehension strategies to adult poor readers

This study demonstrated the benefit of teaching text comprehension strategies to adults who are poor readers. Subjects (n=90) were students enrolled in adult education programs who earned a score of 90 or above on theSlosson Intelligence Test and a score equivalent to a 3rd–7th grade reading level on theNelson Denny Reading Test. These subjects were randomly assigned to one of three experimental or two control conditions. Experimental conditions were: self questioning and summarizing instruction (total condition); self questioning instruction only; or summarizing instruction only. Control conditions were: tests and experimental materials without instruction; or tests only. Experimental subjects were instructed in small groups for six 45 minute sessions using an instructional method which features informed self control training and guided learning. Analyses of covariance showed significant differences between the performances of the groups. On one measure, a question task, subjects who self questioned and summarized, and subjects who self questioned, significantly out performed the two controls. On a second measure, a free recall task, subjects who self questioned and summarized significantly outperformed control groups combined. Contrary to expectations, the self questioning and summarizing condition (total condition) did not significantly outperform the other experimental groups.     

Multitasking With Television Among Adolescents

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, we explored predictors of adolescents' television (TV) multitasking behaviors. We investigated whether demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, and maternal education) predict adolescents' likelihood of multitasking with TV. We also explored whether characteristics of the TV-multitasking moment (affect, TV genre, attention to people, and media multitasking) predict adolescents' likelihood of paying primary versus secondary attention to TV. Demographic characteristics do not predict TV multitasking. In TV-multitasking moments, primary attention to TV was more likely if adolescents experienced negative affect, watched a drama, or attended to people; it was less likely if they used computers or video games.     

CHANGING CHILDREN'S PERCEPTIONS OF THE ELDERLY

Many children have negative attitudes about older persons. This study used a pre‐posttest control group experimental design to investigate the effects of a guidance unit about older persons upon elementary school children in two schools. Significant results are reported. The experimental unit also proved effective for both boys and girls. Perceptions of children about the aging process and the elderly can be positively changed.