Ronan MaddenUCC Library

PhD Students in the Humanities: Understanding the Information Behaviour of Graduate Information Literacy Course Participants

Ronan Madden, Arts & Humanities Librarian

Sounds familiar...

But: a better understanding of information needs & behaviour during initial stages

PG6009

PG6009:• Accredited• Structured PhD• 15 hours• Different librarians• Reflective essay• Flexible delivery

Few studies: generic IL for Phds

Lack of research: information practices of PhDs

Lack of research: information seeking needs & behaviours of humanities graduates

Haphazard beginnings

Diverse needs

People N.B. supervisor

Zones of Intervention?

Library-centric…

Generic V Tailored???

Generic IL module an appropriate intervention in the initial months of humanities PhD?

What can we learn that will give us a better understanding of their IB so that Library can improve support?

MethodologySurveys

Interviews

Wide Variation:• confidence levels at

beginning • extent to which

decided on research topics

• awareness of information sources they are likely to need

Only 15% indicated that topic had not changed at all

40% had not been aware of the information sources they were to use later

Main literature search obstacles:• scope, focus, narrowing their

topic • searching & finding good

information

Also: What it means to be a PhD researcher, uniqueness of their own research, where they ‘fit in’ as PhD students.

More choice: structured programmes, modules, workshops, seminars

‘Haphazard’ literature search now extends to choice of courses

• Planning & sequencing

• Technology

A variety of people:

• Supervisor key only for some…

• Other students• Library has a role

PG6009: Positive vibes • 65% said ‘very helpful’• 35% found it ‘helpful’

Most Useful bits?1. Research resource discovery 2. Evaluating information3. Using the web effectively

All said first year is best time

But:

N.B. Flexibility

PG6009 November CACSSS class

• 40% face-to-face only• 60% face-to-face plus online• No one would prefer online-only

More workshops,(repeat, flexibility) 1-to-1 meetings for some

Important not to…

Must continue to evaluate, improve, update, be relevant