Interviewing scientists for their library and information needs

Jeffery Loojloo@berkeley.edu

April 2010

a study to understand scientists’ library and information needs

Study goals

1Identify best practices for information activitiesLearn and then promoteAssess gap between perceived and actual

2Identify information resources and services needed

results will help determine priorities for planning

What is the study’s approach?

interviews – open ended conversations

Advantages of interviews

open-ended questionscast a wide net

rich responses

understand context and natural setting

two birds with one stoneunderstand needsand explain library services

Challenges of interviews and their resolution

qualitative responses may not be representative conduct quantitative surveys later

labor intensive an ongoing exercise

false impressions, false expectations, overhype remind participant of the research goal

How do the interviews work?

snowball samplingbegin with known contacts their contacts their contacts

6 degrees of separation interview a diverse group

Methodology

email participants to arrange meeting

interviews are anonymousde-identified quotes for reports

fundamental research

objectives

associated information

activities

supportive information services, resources, tools

Q: Best practices?

checkmark those activities that they …• find easy to accomplish• feel works well• feel confident about

why?

what advice for fellow researchers?

Q: What needs improvement?

circle items that are unnecessarily complicated

why?

what would be helpful?

conclude the study

requests for resources and services?

questions?

data collectionnotes on laptop computertranscribe salient dialogue

How will the results be used?

Gather ideas and suggestions for:

promotion and marketing of existing resources

potential acquisition of new resources

potential services development

instructional opportunities

library planning

Haiku summary

Good service meets yourneeds, experiences – let’sinterview, then plan.