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Voices from the Ground Up: Transfer of Learning within the Context of Research and Study Activities |
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| Authors: | Kimberly Mullins Natalia Tomlin Eamon Tewell Valeda Dent |
| Institution: | 1. Instructional Design Librarian, Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, Brookville, NY, USA;2. Technical Services Librarian, Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, Brookville, NY, USA;3. Reference &4. Instruction Librarian, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, USA;5. Dean and Professor, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA |
| Abstract: | A mid-sized university library system conducted a large-scale mixed-methods research project intended to understand better the student library experience and ways to enhance it. One aspect of the project included a detailed and iterative analysis of interview data. Using a grounded theory (GT) approach, researchers analyzed empirical data from student interviews and identified patterns of behavior. The results of data analyses suggested that students used knowledge and interactions from library class to inform them of how to study academic content and complete non-research tasks and vice versa. As a result, researchers generated an inductive (emerging from the data) theory that asserts that some research and study activities are mutually informative. The article describes the approach used to develop the theoretical construct in hopes that it will provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between research and studying behaviors and how academic libraries contribute to the greater academic landscape in ways not previously recognized. |
| Keywords: | grounded theory interview coding research skills study skills theoretical construct |