Research on Library Services for Distance Learning

Abstract

This paper examines the research that has been conducted to date on the topic of library support for distance learning programs and identifies some priorities for future research. The two main types of studies prevalent in the literature on this topic are surveys of libraries and user studies. Research findings from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada provide a perspective on the knowledge base in this area and enable some generalizations to be made about service provision and user needs. The results of a recent survey of librarians indicate that the number one research priority in distance learning library services is collaboration with faculty to integrate library and electronic resources into Web-based distance learning courses.     

A Survey of Catalogue Use by Engineering Students in Nigerian Universities

This article is a survey of catalogue use by engineering students in Nigerian universities libraries. Simple random sampling technique was used to select one thousand three hundred and sixty-eight engineering students from three universities in the country. A questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data gathering. Some of the findings revealed that a majority of the student survey participants make use of the catalogue occasionally and prefer to browse through the shelves when searching for information in the libraries. This article recommends that library use instruction should be included in the university curriculum and that librarians should provide practical demonstrations on the use of various catalogues to students during orientation programs.     

Name Authority Work in Public Libraries

Random samples of U.S. public libraries were surveyed in summer 2010 to ascertain their name authority cataloging practices. Comparisons of authority work processes and types of authority work done were made among public libraries of different sizes. Results were compared to previous studies of public and academic libraries.     

Using Survey Sites for Information Literacy Scheduling and Teaching

ABSTRACT

Active Information Literacy (IL) programs require scheduling management to ensure that librarians have adequate time to prepare, and that computers and classrooms are available. Collecting this information from busy faculty members can be time consuming. Internet survey sites can be used to collect the required information. These sites allow a library's IL staff to structure a questionnaire that elicits all of the information (instructor contact information, discipline, desired dates, times, number of students, and session topics) required to design instruction and schedule busy classrooms. doi:10.1300/J106v14n03_07     

The Aurora Public Library Business Resource Center:

The Business Resource Center represents the Aurora, Colorado Public Library's response to a tremendous growth within the business community over the past decade. This essay details what factors led to the decision that a separate service point was needed to meet this growth. Issues discussed include what statistical data proved helpful in developing a plan of action; collection development considerations; analysis of factors concerning library functions and service; and, initial reaction from patrons and staff. The study is also presented as a model for other medium-to-large suburban libraries intending to initiate a similar project.     

河北省大学生运动会发展的现状与对策分析

通过对近四届河北省大学生运动会的发展状况进行分析,并通过与全国大学生运动会参赛项目的对比,寻找河北省大学生运动会的优点和不足,为河北省大学生运动会的发展提出一些可行性建议。     

法学专业实践教学研究

法学是应用性、实践性很强的专业,要求理论与实践的高度结合与统一。法学专业教育的重心应放在实践教学上,将法学教育与法律职业要求相连,为社会培养实践性法律人才。构建科学的法学专业实践教学内容体系是实现这一目标的关键。     

The Impact of Lottery Incentives on Student Survey Response Rates

Lottery incentives are widely used by institutional researchers despite a lack of research documenting the effectiveness of postpaid incentives in general and lottery incentives in particular. A controlled experiment tested the effects of lottery incentives using a prospective college applicant Web survey, with e-mails sent to more than 9,000 high school students. The impact of the level of lottery incentive on response rates and response bias is discussed.     

Consulting with children and young people who have disabilities: views of accessibility to education

The Education (Disability Strategies and Pupils' Educational Records) (Scotland) Act 2002 requires local authorities to prepare and implement an accessibility strategy to improve access to education for young people with disabilities. In this article, Dr Richard Woolfson, Principal Psychologist, Michael Harker, Depute Principal Psychologist, Dorothy Lowe, Senior Psychologist, Mary Shields, Senior Psychologist, and Hilary Mackintosh, Research Assistant, all from Renfrewshire Educational Psychology Service, report the response of one local authority. Staff from the psychological service carried out a two-stage research study with children and young people. Stage One involved a postal questionnaire for 290 pupils with a range of disabilities; parents and carers were asked to assist their children with the questionnaire. Stage Two involved young people with disabilities in a number of focus groups. The results recorded here confirm that the area of greatest pupil satisfaction is physical access to the school environment. Few problems are identified regarding access to information from school and most pupils with disability consider that their opinions are listened to and respected. Other findings suggest that pupils with disability generally view their teachers as supportive, while pupils often struggle to complete homework. Further, the pupils indicated that they would like to be more closely consulted about access to the curriculum, working independently and the provision of support. Older students suggested that preparation for post-school options should start much earlier. In the light of these findings, the authors discuss recommendations for future practice and for further research.