Ethnographic methods in academic libraries: A review

Ramsden, Bryony

doi:10.1080/13614533.2016.1231696

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Incorporating and adapting ethnographic methods to explore the user experience (UX) of libraries is an evolving field (Gibbons, 2013;Goodman, 2011;Lanclos & Asher, 2016;Priestner & Borg, 2016;Ramsden, 2016) and driven by a recognition that such a qualitative approach offers opportunities to gather meaningful data about the 'how' and 'why' of student behaviour. This literature review focuses on the use of ethnographic methods in library research, providing an overview of techniques as a background and foundation for understanding the context of our own research intentions.…”

Section: Literature Review: Ethnographic Methods In Academic Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Ethnographic Methods to Explore How International Business Students Approach Their Academic Assignments and Their Experiences of the Spaces They Use for Studying

Jensen¹,

Ramsden²,

Haigh³

et al. 2019

EBLIP

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Objective -Understanding students' approaches to studying and their experiences of library spaces and other learning spaces are central to developing library spaces, policies, resources and support services that fit with and meet students' evolving needs. The aim of the research was to explore how international students approach academic assignments and how they experience the spaces they use for studying to determine what constituted enablers or barriers to study. The paper focuses on how the two ethnographic methods of retrospective interviewing and cognitive mapping produce rich qualitative data that puts the students' lived experience at the centre and allows us a better understanding of where study practices and study spaces fit into their lives.Methods -The study used a qualitative ethnographic approach for data collection which took place in April 2016. We used two innovative interview activities, the retrospective process interview and a cognitive mapping activity, to elicit student practices in relation to how they approach an assignment and which spaces they use for study. We conducted eight interviews with international students in the Business School, produced interview notes with transcribed excerpts, and developed a themed coding frame.Results -The retrospective process interview offered a way of gathering detailed information about the resources students draw on when working on academic assignments, including library provided resources and personal social networks. The cognitive mapping activity enabled us to develop a better understanding of where students go to study and what they find enabling or disruptive about different types of spaces. The combination of the two methods gave students the opportunity to discuss how their study practices changed over time and provided insight into their student journeys, both in how their requirements for and knowledge of spaces, and their use of resources, were evolving. Conclusion -The study shows how ethnographic methods can be used to develop a greater understanding of study practices inside and outside library spaces, how students use and feel about library spaces, and where the library fits into the students' lives and journey. This can be beneficial for universities and other institutions, and their stakeholders, looking to make significant changes to library buildings and/or campus environments.

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Section: Literature Review: Ethnographic Methods In Academic Librariesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using Ethnographic Methods to Explore How International Business Students Approach Their Academic Assignments and Their Experiences of the Spaces They Use for Studying

Jensen¹,

Ramsden²,

Haigh³

et al. 2019

EBLIP

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To create a comprehensive qualitative picture, their project at the University of Rochester (US) collected data from a variety of sources: interviews with faculty members about their expectations of students, interviews with students (in the library and in student spaces), observations of how students use space for studying, focus groups on website use, photos taken by students to document their days and maps tracing their movements across their campus. Khoo et al (2012) More specific techniques within these categories include cognitive mapping, scenario-based role play, observations of usability testing, observations of space usage, photo diaries and user group typologies (Ramsden, 2016).…”

Section: Methods Based On Ethnographic Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing ‘Goodness’: A Review of Quality Frameworks for Australian Academic Libraries

Sputore

Fitzgibbons

2017

Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association

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Quality assessment can help a library link its services and performance to strategic university goals and priorities. A vast body of professional literature describes quality and assessment theory and practice in libraries, including comprehensive International Standards. However there is no single measure of 'goodness' for libraries, and choices must be made to ensure assessment activities are effective and sustainable. Libraries seeking to strategically demonstrate their value and proactively respond to emerging priorities have much to gain from an understanding of this field. This review article aims to highlight the features, advantages and outcomes associated with contemporary approaches to quality management and assessment, and offer sources for further exploration. International Standards are discussed, as well as specific methodologies and approaches. This review is placed in the context of current issues and opportunities for Australian academic libraries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • A complex range of drivers in the international higher education sector are compelling academic libraries to demonstrate their quality, value and impact. • Qualitative and quantitative assessment methods can be used to effectively collect evidence of the quality, value and impact of the library. • A range of internationally recognised frameworks can help libraries to take a holistic approach to quality assessment. • At a more targeted level, there are a wide range of relevant approaches to assessment that have been successfully used by libraries, and libraries must be strategic in their selection of methods in order to achieve the desired outcomes. • An essential outcome from assessing quality must be communicating quality to clients and stakeholders, ideally in the context of broader and strategic institutional goals.

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“…Z jej analiz wynika, że były to badania na temat gromadzenia zbiorów, korzystania z materiałów bibliotecznych i technologii, zachowań informacyjnych, korzystania z informatorium, organizacji przestrzeni bibliotecznej, jak również efektywności szkoleń bibliotecznych. Z tych samych analiz wynika, że metody etnograficzne często wykorzystywane są w projektach łączących kilka z zarysowanych powyżej wątków (Ramsden, 2016). Ciekawego przeglądu dokonała też Victoria Wilson, która prowadziła rozważania dotyczące możliwości stosowania metod etnograficznych w odniesieniu do katalogów bibliotecznych i ich użytkowników.…”

Section: Przykłady Zastosowania Metod Etnograficznych W Bibliotekoznaunclassified

Metody etnograficzne w bibliotekoznawstwie

Jasiewicz

2018

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Teza/cel – Celem artykułu było podjęcie próby przeanalizowania obecności i wykorzystania etnograficznych metod badawczych w bibliotekoznawstwie. W związku z tym przeprowadzono analizy w zakresie stosowania obserwacji, badań terenowych oraz badań dzienniczkowych w projektach poświęconych pracownikom, użytkownikom i usługom bibliotek. Metoda – We wnioskowaniu wykorzystano wyniki badań własnych autorki, która przeprowadziła obszerne badanie w zakresie wykorzystania poszczególnych metod badawczych w piśmiennictwie naukowym. Analizy te zostały przeprowadzone w oparciu o zbiór 4832 abstraktów artykułów z 13 czasopism dziedzinowych (11 zagranicznych i 2 polskich najważniejszych tytułów), z lat 2010-2015. W artykule zaprezentowano wyniki dotyczące wykorzystania metod etnograficznych. Analizy ilościowe wzbogacono przeglądem wybranych sposobów stosowania przedmiotowych metod w piśmiennictwie naukowym. Wyniki – W wyniku badania stwierdzono, że metody etnograficzne są w ograniczony sposób stosowane w bibliotekoznawstwie. W literaturze zagranicznej ich występowanie jest rzadkie, zaś w polskiej – incydentalne. Wnioski – Jednocześnie zaprezentowane różnorodne sposoby wykorzystania tych metod w badaniu zagadnień, w których metody deklaratywne są niewystarczające, pozwala sądzić, że potencjał zastosowania metod etnograficznych w badaniach bibliotekoznawczych jest znaczący.

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Ethnographic methods in academic libraries: A review

Cited by 12 publications

References 15 publications

Using Ethnographic Methods to Explore How International Business Students Approach Their Academic Assignments and Their Experiences of the Spaces They Use for Studying

Using Ethnographic Methods to Explore How International Business Students Approach Their Academic Assignments and Their Experiences of the Spaces They Use for Studying

Assessing ‘Goodness’: A Review of Quality Frameworks for Australian Academic Libraries

Metody etnograficzne w bibliotekoznawstwie

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