Building Positive Learning Experiences through Pedagogical Research Guide Design

Abstract

Library research guides are traditionally designed in a pathfinder-style format by resource type. However, would a pedagogical-style guide, which moves students through the research process, better support the student learning experience? This study sought to answer the question: Which guide design best supports the student information literacy learning experience outside of a classroom setting? This article reports results of a usability study (n?=?22) of first-year to graduate students who interacted with either a pedagogical or pathfinder-style research guide through a simulated research assignment. Results indicate that, although there is no statistically significant performance difference between guide type, students using the pedagogical guide reported a more positive experience than those using the pathfinder guide. As a result, this led them to spend more time on, interact more with, and consult more resources on the research guide. Librarians who wish to enhance the usability of research guides may get greater student engagement by designing their guides pedagogically.     

Redesigning subject guides with usability testing: a case study

Abstract

This study considers best practices in subject guide design on the LibGuides platform based on usability tests and semi-structured interviews conducted at a mid-sized university library. The study investigated student preferences for guide navigation and was then expanded to address the overall usefulness of subject guides to students. The results indicate that the choice between side and tabbed navigation is highly individual, with students sometimes using the same reasoning to explain opposite preferences. The findings also suggest that thoughtfully maintained subject guides remain relevant to students. The authors recommend that librarians should enlist help from faculty members to promote subject guides and reconsider the inclusion and presentation of subject librarian photos in their guides. They also recommend that librarians conduct their own usability testing to ensure that their subject guides are best serving their particular institutional context.     

Chinese whispers? Investigating the consistency of the language of assessment between a distance education institution,its tutors and students

Ensuring the fairness of assessment is important in all areas of higher education. It is particularly so in distance education, where the communication around assessment and feedback is a principal method of supporting learning, and even more so when the students are at the entry point into higher education. This research explores the nature of the language used in explaining the purpose and process of assessment on an access programme at The Open University, UK, from the perspective of the module team, the tutors and the students. It takes a qualitative approach to examine the clarity and consistency of assessment tasks, assessment guidance and TMGs. Analysis revealed inconsistencies in the language used in relation to assessment, which has led to a revision of how assessment tasks and guidance are communicated to students and tutors.     

科技论文“一文多注（标注）”现象分析

 目前,科技论文普遍存在“一文多注（标注）”现象,且其比例在国内科技论文中有明显上升的趋势。在对“一文多注（标注）”现象进行原因与利弊分析的基础上,本文就如何克服“一文多注（标注）”现象的负面因素提出初步的建议。     

LGBTQ+ health research guides at North American health sciences libraries: a survey and content analysis

Objectives:Current literature recommends online research guides as an easy and effective tool to promote LGBTQ+ health information to both health care providers and the public. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine how extensive LGBTQ+ health guides are among hospital and academic libraries and which features are most prevalent.Methods:In order to locate LGBTQ+ health guides for content analysis, we searched for guides on the websites of libraries belonging to the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). Additionally, we searched the Springshare interface for LibGuides with the word “health” and either “LGBT” or “transgender.” Content analysis was performed to identify major characteristics of the located guides, including target audience and the information type provided.Results:LGBTQ+ research guides were identified for 74 libraries. Of these, 5 were hospital libraries, and the rest were academic libraries. Of 158 AAHSL member libraries, 48 (30.4%) had LGBTQ+ guides on their websites. Nearly all guides (95.9%) provided general LGBTQ+ health information, and a large majority (87.8%) also had information resources for transgender health. Smaller percentages of guides contained information on HIV/AIDS (48.6%) and women''s health (16.2%).Conclusions:Even though literature recommends creating LGBTQ+ health guides, most health sciences libraries are missing an opportunity by not developing and maintaining these guides. Further research may be needed to determine the usage and usefulness of existing guides and to better identify barriers preventing libraries from creating guides.     

Flagship project on cryopheric changes launched at CAS

With the support of the National Basic Research Program （dubbed “973” Program）, a research project entitled the “dynamic process of China＇s cryosphere, and the mechanism behind its impact on climate, hydrology and ecology” has recently been launched at the CAS Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute （CAREERI） in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China＇s Gansu Province, marking the inception of a systematic and allround exploration of the subject.     

高校体育课定量考试评分标准的研究

为了使高校体育课定量考试评分标准的制订做到科学、实效 ,采用半E次抛物线曲线方程与分段等级累进计分方法 ,既符合人体的运动变化规律又切合实际 ,使其能合理地、有效地对学生的身体素质、运动能力进行考核评分。     

体育系排球专项二级运动员水平的评定

经多轮测验和研究论证,确定了评定排球专项二级运动员水平的5项测验方法和各项的评分标准,以及二级运动员水平的达标线。这一测评方法及标准既有一定难度,又是学生经过努力可以达标的,并能对每一个学生进行定量的等级评定。     

Mission-Focused Collections: Rebirth of the Seminarbibliothek as an Ebook Collection

German universities built over the years highly specialized book collections for use by faculty and graduate students. The German term, seminarbibliothek, is often applied to these types of collections, although examples can be found in universities across Europe. The purpose of this article is to examine a similar type of collection using ebooks in veterinary science and to compare this collection to the standard subject classified ebook collections. Most collection development in college and university libraries focuses on academic subjects. The type of collection being described here focuses on a mission. A mission-focused collection increases the use of library holdings and greatly benefits the stakeholders within the institution. This study looks at how such a collection might be formed and defined and what possible effects this might have on the use of collections of this type.     

关于传统女性观的几点解读

从历史的层面解读几点传统文化中常被提到的女性观念“。男尊女卑”并非自古“就天经地义”;“从一而终”也不是封建道德传统礼教自古宣传的思想;女性贞节观在不同历史时期有不同的道德评判和要求;女子缠足是汉族民间陋习,而非礼教规范,亦非封建统治者的指令。了解这些问题,进一步探讨传统女性观的历史性与真实性,找回在近现代历史中迷失的文化认同感和民族自信心是很有意义的。