Impact measures for libraries and information services

PURPOSE - To demonstrate the importance of impact / outcome research in libraries. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH - The paper gives an overview of purposes and methods used in impact research and illustrates this through project experiences. FINDINGS - Various projects worldwide are trying to prove that use of library services can positively influence skills and competences, attitudes and behaviour of users. The benefits that users experience by using library services can be assessed in terms of knowledge gained, higher information literacy, higher academic or professional success, social inclusion, and increase in individual well-being. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS - The main problem of impact research is, that influences on an individual are manifold and that therefore it is difficult to trace changes and improvements back to the library. The paper shows methods that are tested and used at the present. More investigation is needed to identify methods that could be used to show a library’s overall impact or to develop measures that would permit benchmarking between institutions. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS - The paper shows practical examples of impact assessment, covering “soft” methods like surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation and quantitative methods like tests, analysis of publications, or usage data. ORIGINALITY/VALUE - The paper acquaints libraries with a topic that is not yet well known and, by showing practical examples, demonstrates how libraries can attempt to assess their impact

Towards a kansei-based user modeling methodology for eco-design

We propose here to highlight the benefits of building a framework linking Kansei Design (KD), User Centered Design (UCD) and Eco-design, as the correlation between these fields is barely explored in research at the current time. Therefore, we believe Kansei Design could serve the goal of achieving more sustainable products by setting up an accurate understanding of the user in terms of ecological awareness, and consequently enhancing performance in the Eco-design process. In the same way, we will consider the means-end chain approach inspired from marketing research, as it is useful for identifying ecological values, mapping associated functions and defining suitable design solutions. Information gathered will serve as entry data for conducting scenario-based design, and supporting the development of an Eco-friendly User Centered Design methodology (EcoUCD).ANR-ECOUS

Research methods and methodologies for studying organisational learning

The purpose of this paper is to compare and evaluate the main research methods and methodologies for studying organisational learning (OL), and propose a framework for their selection. It presents a comprehensive review of literature on OL, learning organisation (LO) and research methods and reports evidence on recent developments in research methods for studying OL. The paper highlighted on the purists and pragmatists’ views of research methodologies as basis of the study. The results revealed that the research methods and methodologies for studying OL do not reflect on the differing views of the purists and pragmatists’ debate but rather conform to the convergence ideologies of the two camps. Particularly, the outcomes augment the use of triangulation and suggest that the choice of method(s) should be consistent with research aims and epistemological philosophy of OL. Consequently, the study recommends OL Research Methods Framework as a useful guide for selecting a suitable approach in the area. The paper recommends ethnography for future research consideration

Investigating the psychological and emotional dimensions in instructed language learning: obstacles and possibilities

In this article I put forth the core argument that Second Language Acquisition (SLA) needs to account for the psychological and emotional dimensions of second language (L2) learning, but that a number of epistemological and methodological difficulties must be surmounted before this new research program can be a reality. To illustrate my arguments, I examine in depth 2 research programs developed by my colleagues and me over the last decade: research on extraversion as a psychological variable investigated within the tradition of individual differences in SLA, and research on the expression of emotion in the L2. Throughout the article, I argue against research isolationism and for more interdisciplinarity in the field of instructed SLA. I contend that research on instructed SLA would benefit from an increased methodological and epistemological diversity and that a focus on affect and emotion among researchers might inspire authors of teaching materials and foreign language teachers to pay increased attention to the communication of emotion and the development of sociocultural competence in a L2

Individual emergence in contextual analysis

Located within the tradition of Hermeneutic Dialectics (HD) this paper offers an approach which can further an analysis of a fit between information and organizational systems. Drawn upon Information Systems Development projects a relationship between theory and practice is aided through a multi-disciplinary approach to sense making activity. Using a contemporary version of contextual analysis to understand a way in which individuals construct adapt and create meaning from their environment offers a route to improve a systems analysis process. This type of enquiry into contextual dependencies of knowledge creation can help direct a development of systems that have the intention to serve specific organizational actors and their needs. Combining methods outside of a traditional polar divide, sense making research undertaken within a systems thinking arena can enrich understanding by complementing qualitative and / or quantitative analysis with reflective depth. Drawing together interdisciplinary strands through a critical systems thinking approach offers new levels of professionalism for computer- and management-, practitioners or researchers in the 21st Century

Building bridges, filling gaps : toward an integrative interdisciplinary and mixed method approach for future audience research in relation to the mediation of distant suffering

Based on extensive literature research and 11 expert interviews with academics familiar with the field of audience studies and mediation of distant suffering, this article provides a metadiscussion of the different paradigms and methodologies that can be used for further empirical audience research. It is argued that the “middle-way” paradigms such as critical realism, grounded theory, and pragmatism can productively serve as the basis for a common epistemic language in interdisciplinary research. A mixed-methods approach may serve well for a broad and holistic study of the audience. It is further argued that future empirical research of media users in relation to distant suffering could benefit from an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach

Confessions of a live coder

This paper describes the process involved when a live coder decides to learn a new musical programming language of another paradigm. The paper introduces the problems of running comparative experiments, or user studies, within the field of live coding. It suggests that an autoethnographic account of the process can be helpful for understanding the technological conditioning of contemporary musical tools. The author is conducting a larger research project on this theme: the part presented in this paper describes the adoption of a new musical programming environment, Impromptu, and how this affects the author’s musical practice

The effect of increased part-charges on the health-seeking behaviours of Group 3 workers and their families : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Arts (social policy) at Massey University

This thesis is about health, change and user charges. In 1991 New Zealand embarked in a new direction for the funding of health services, including extensive use of a targeting regime in which 'those that can afford' social services were paying more so that those who could not were paying less. For the 'high-income' families classified as Group 3, this meant that part charges at point of service were increased at all levels of health services. Concerns immediately arose that the income levels had been set too low and would create financial barriers for some 'high-income' families, particularly those on the margin. This thesis explores the demand response of 129 families in Group 3 to the new charges imposed by the Interim Targeting Regime. The survey population is characterised by high incomes and insurance coverage across income levels. Through a nonrandom survey methodology based on the opinions and perceptions of the user community (Group 3 workers and their families), over one-quarter of the survey families reported health services demand being diverted from allopathic medical services. However, even though 25% reported demand diversion, only 11% of families reporting lowered health status. The study also looked at diversion from conventional medicine to alternatives including self-treatment, seeking advice from a chemist, complementary therapies or changing lifestyle habits. The data did not suggest diversion to alternatives equal to the reduction of conventional medical services. Through the use of nonparametric statistical techniques, characteristics of the survey population were analysed in an attempt to begin untangling a complex web of factors affecting the survey population's health services demand when faced with increases in price. Factors included in this study were income level, insurance coverage, health status, gender, family size and composition . Various subsamples of the survey population reported different effects and different magnitudes of demand diversion. The differences between insured and uninsured families were particularly marked. Evidence provided by the user community implicates a high degree of moral hazard within the insured subsample. The study suggests further research on the influence on moral hazard in meeting the stated goals of the reforms. Because the study is nonrandom and exploratory, any claim of representativeness would be unwarranted. However, the study suggests that the attributes of high incomes and insurance coverage may be inherent to Group 3. To more accurately assess the representativeness of any research on the effects of the increase in part charges on Group 3, the study proposes a further clarification of the specific attributes of the families belonging in the Group 3 category is necessary. Finally, the study questions the adequacy of the targeting regime and the increase in part charges for meeting the objectives set out by the health reformers, particularly in respect to the objectives of cost containment and individuals becoming more responsible for their own health