GoPro as an ethnographic tool: A wayfinding study in an academic library

Kinsley, Kirsten; Schoonover, Dan; Spitler, Jasmine

doi:10.1080/15367967.2016.1154465

Cited by 24 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In other words, I wanted to be able to focus on the decisions they made, the photos they decided to take, and their explanations of what was important in this exercise. This can be contrasted with methods where researchers are present (e.g., Haberl & Wortman, 2012) or where video cameras are used to document participants' every move (e.g., Kinsley, Schoonover, & Spitler, 2016). By handing them the camera and allowing them to work through the tasks and space on their own, I was asking participants to independently decide what was important, what they wanted to photograph, to show and talk about.…”

Section: Method: Participant-driven Photo-elicitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Through the Students’ Lens: Photographic Methods for Research in Library Spaces

Bedi

Webb

2017

EBLIP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective -As librarians and researchers, we are deeply curious about how our library users navigate and experience our library spaces. Although we have some data about users' experiences and wayfinding strategies at our libraries, including anecdotal evidence, statistics, surveys, and focus group discussions, we lacked more in-depth information that reflected students' real-time experiences as they move through our library spaces. Our objective is to address that gap by using photographic methods for studying library spaces.Methods -We present two studies conducted in two academic libraries that used participantdriven photo-elicitation (PDPE) methods. Described simply, photo-elicitation methods involve the use of photographs as discussion prompts in interviews. In both studies presented here, we asked participants to take photographs that reflected their experiences using and navigating our Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 2017, 12.2 16library spaces. We then met with participants for an interview using their photos as prompts to discuss their experiences.Results -Our analysis of students' photos and interviews provided rich descriptions of student experiences in library spaces. This analysis resulted in new insights into the ways that students navigate the library as well as the ways that signage, furniture, technology, and artwork in the library can shape student experiences in library spaces. The results have proven productive in generating answers to our research questions and supporting practical improvements to our libraries. Additionally, when comparing the results from our two studies we identified the importance of detailed spatial references for understanding student experiences in library spaces, which has implications beyond our institutions.Conclusion -We found that photographic methods were very productive in helping us to understand library users' experiences and supporting decision-making related to library spaces. In addition, engaging with students and hearing their interpretations and stories about the photographs they created enhanced our research understandings of student experiences and needs in new and unique ways.

show abstract

Section: Method: Participant-driven Photo-elicitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Through the Students’ Lens: Photographic Methods for Research in Library Spaces

Bedi

Webb

2017

EBLIP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Kato and Takeuchi (2003) also advocate for the enriching role of taxonomies created from collected verbal data and the details proffered by think aloud transcripts. Kinsley, Schoonover, and Spitler (2016) use Go/Pro cameras and think aloud protocol in conjunction with survey and mapping to help pinpoint wayfinding trouble spots in an academic library. Consciously building on the work of Larsen and Tatarka (2008) and Hahn and Zitron (2011), Kinsley et al (2016) describe a cost effective, multi-method approach to identify specific decision and failure points in library wayfinding.…”

Section: Wayfinding Research Using the Think Aloud Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kinsley, Schoonover, and Spitler (2016) use Go/Pro cameras and think aloud protocol in conjunction with survey and mapping to help pinpoint wayfinding trouble spots in an academic library. Consciously building on the work of Larsen and Tatarka (2008) and Hahn and Zitron (2011), Kinsley et al (2016) describe a cost effective, multi-method approach to identify specific decision and failure points in library wayfinding. Larsen and Tatarka (2008) ask participants to think aloud in a study investigating the efficacy of the implementation of recommendations resulting from a prior wayfinding study.…”

Section: Wayfinding Research Using the Think Aloud Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

User wayfinding strategies in public library facilities

Mandel

LeMeur

2018

Library & Information Science Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

An experiment in a public library demonstrates that Passini's conceptual framework of wayfinding can be applied to public library patron wayfinding behavior. Participants were asked to think aloud while completing prescribed wayfinding tasks. Findings indicate that library patrons use all five of Passini's strategies to varying degrees, supporting the need for further research testing this framework with library patrons. Participants were given varying level of details on Passini's strategies prior to completing the wayfinding tasks, and that intervention had no significant effect on the results.

show abstract

“…Researchers continue to adopt and develop inventive uses of ethnography in library settings, whether as a method, as in Dunne's (2016) shadowing of several students during the final weeks of their undergraduate studies and Kinsley, Schoonover, and Spitler's (2016) use of GoPro cameras to learn about students' processes of finding books in library stacks, or as pedagogical inspiration, as in Pashia and Critten's (2015) use of mapping and observation in library orientation sessions. Recent studies with implications for the research at hand include Holder and Lange's (2014) mixedmethods examination of library space and patron satisfaction, Allan's (2016) analysis of student awareness of librarians' roles within a learning commons setting, and Khoo, Rozaklis, Hall, and Kusunoki's (2016) surveys of student perception and usage of library space.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning about Student Research Practices through an Ethnographic Investigation: Insights into Contact with Librarians and Use of Library Space

Tewell

Mullins

Tomlin

et al. 2017

EBLIP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective -Student research habits and expectations continue to change, complicating the design of library spaces and the provision of research support. This study's intent was to explore undergraduate and graduate student research and study needs at a mid-sized university's two campuses in the Northeastern United States, and to improve librarians' understandings of these practices so that more appropriate services and spaces may be developed to support student learning.Methods -The research project utilized a primarily qualitative design for data collection that spanned from fall 2012 to summer 2013, consisting of an online questionnaire, unobtrusive observations, and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data collection commenced with a questionnaire consisting of 51 items, distributed through campus email to all students and receiving 1182 responses. Second, 32 hours of unobtrusive observations were carried out by librarians, who took ethnographic "field notes" in a variety of Library locations during different times and days of the week. The final method was in-depth interviews conducted with 30 undergraduate and graduate students. The qualitative data were analyzed through the application of a codebook consisting of 459 codes, developed by a data analysis team of 4 librarians.Results -The results address topical areas of student interactions with librarians, contact preferences, and use of library space. Of the interviewees, 60% contacted a librarian at least once, with texting being the most popular method of contact (27%). In being contacted by the library, students preferred a range of methods and generally indicated interest in learning about library news and events through posters and signage. Participants were less interested in receiving library contact via social media, such as Facebook or Twitter. Regarding student use of and preference for library space, prominent themes were students creating their own spaces for individual study by moving furniture, leaving personal items unattended, the presence of unwanted noise, and a general preference for either working nearby other students in groups or in carrels to facilitate individual study.Conclusions -Being aware of student research processes and preferences can result in the ability to design learning environments and research services that are more responsive to their needs. Ethnographic research methods, as part of an ongoing research process, are recommended as a means to better understand library user practices and expectations.

show abstract

GoPro as an ethnographic tool: A wayfinding study in an academic library

Cited by 24 publications

References 14 publications

Through the Students’ Lens: Photographic Methods for Research in Library Spaces

Through the Students’ Lens: Photographic Methods for Research in Library Spaces

User wayfinding strategies in public library facilities

Learning about Student Research Practices through an Ethnographic Investigation: Insights into Contact with Librarians and Use of Library Space

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About