Digital Preservation Education in iSchools

This poster investigates digital preservation education in the iSchool caucus. The project identifies core concepts addressed in digital preservation coursework in iSchools and identifies possible areas for curriculum development. Digital preservation education at the graduate level is critical. To ensure long-term access and use of digital materials, information professionals must have a working knowledge of digital curation, which emphasizes a lifecycle approach to digital preservation [1]. Unfortunately, the topic of digital preservation education is not prominent in literature about digital curation. Only a handful of case studies and recommendations have been published regarding digital preservation education within information science, library science, and computer science graduate programs. Instead, much of the work on digital preservation education is contained in more general studies on educating digital librarians or electronic records managers. To understand how to better design curricula that engages central issues of digital curation at the graduate level, an investigation of the current state of digital preservation education is warranted. Coursework devoted solely to digital preservation is essential for graduate students in information-centric disciplines. The necessity for devoted coursework is due to the complex and multifaceted nature of the topic. Unfortunately, a 2006 study found that very few library or information science schools offered courses specifically on the topic of digital preservation. Furthermore, an extremely small percentage of students in library or information science programs had exposure to the critical aspects of digital preservation during their coursework [2]. Digital preservation education can and should be studied in iSchools. The core mission of the iSchool movement is to connect people, information, and technology [3]. Digital curation supports this mission by enabling the continued maintenance of digital information resources throughout their lifecycle, allowing them to be rendered and re-used in the long-term. It is an interdisciplinary process that hinges on expertise from many different fields, including computer science, information and library science, informatics, management, and education. Furthermore, iSchools are a natural home for digital library education [4] and there are significant overlaps between digital library education and digital curation education [5]. It follows that iSchools are an excellent venue for research on the topic of digital preservation education. This project examines digital preservation courses in iSchools over the past five years (2005-2009). Course descriptions and syllabi are examined in order to develop a definition of current practices in digital preservation education. Based on this definition, areas for future developments in digital preservation curricula are identified. Course catalogs from the 26 iSchools have been analyzed to determine whether or not schools offer classes specifically on the topic of digital preservation. Of the 26 iSchools, 9 schools offer degrees in information science and in library science, 6 award degrees in information science but not in library science, and 5 award degrees in library science and not information science. The remaining 6 schools offer a variety of degrees, including computer science, information management, and information technology. These categories will be useful in determining what types of iSchools, if any, are leaders in digital preservation education. All of the schools that have been examined to date offer course catalogs and course descriptions on the open web. Many of the course syllabi are also available online. The course must contain the phrase ???Digital Preservation??? in its title or course description in order to be included. One-shot sessions and classes that deal with a subset of digital preservation, such as classes on digital libraries, are not considered. Course themes and assignments are compared to the DigCCurr Matrix of Digital Curation Knowledge and Competencies. This six-dimensional matrix from the University of North Carolina DigCCurr project defines and organizes materials to be covered in digital curation coursework [6]. This analysis will identify current strengths and potential areas for further development in digital preservation education. The study will also address the question of where current digital preservation course materials fit within the larger scope of digital curation knowledge and competencies

"Expanding on the Almost": Queer World-Building and Institutional Information Worlds

The theories of information poverty and small worlds, both developed by Elfreda Chatman, address how information behaviors and practices are shaped by social norms and insider and outsider dynamics. The application of these theories in the information science literature, to date, has largely focused on individual information behaviors practiced by people who are described as information poor. There is, therefore, opportunity for theoretical development concerning the role of systems and structures in both information poverty and small worlds. Drawing on data from interviews with eleven queer entertainment media creators as well as content from episodes of Emmy award-winning television programs, we use constructivist grounded theory to extend Chatman’s theorizing by investigating how both information poverty and small worlds operate and connect on an institutional level. We present two extensions of small worlds and information poverty: institutional small worlds and queer world-building. Institutional small worlds in this context consist of entertainment media producers and content that possess and reflect epistemically-privileged heteronormative standpoints. Epistemic knowledge created by queer individuals is left out of these small worlds, and participants report experiencing information poverty due to symbolic violence in content that erases and misrepresents their identities. However, participants also engage in entertainment media creation to construct their own rich small worlds. These queer world-building practices reflect participants’ epistemic authority and thus challenge normative discourses produced and reified by powerful institutions. Still, queer world-building occurs within institutional contexts that continue to impoverish queer creators. Despite lacking resources and facing risks, participants continue their practices because creation provides them with rich information outside of normative structures. The constructs we present may be transferable to other populations and have implications for both researchers and practitioners interested in elucidating ways in which library and information science work can better account for institutional forces and inequities in information practices. Pre-print first published online 1/13/202

Social information behaviors in the context of chronic kidney disease: Information seeking and disclosure in online support groups

People diagnosed with chronic illnesses are increasingly turning to the Internet to search for information about their health. In some cases, these individuals also disclose personal health information. In fact, these two information behaviors are often linked. This is particularly true in online support groups. However, we do not currently understand how and why people diagnosed with chronic diseases undergo these activities – although they are becoming increasingly common as the Internet becomes more ingrained in everyday life. This dissertation uses constructivist grounded theory to examine health information seeking online, personal health information disclosure, and the relationship between these processes. Constructivist grounded theory is an ideal research method for examining phenomena, behaviors, and processes that have not yet been fully explored, as is the case in this study. In this study, twelve participants diagnosed with chronic kidney disease were recruited in three different online support groups for chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease was chosen as the illness context in this study as it is a non-stigmatized, incurable, life-long condition that requires patients to manage their treatment over time. Two telephone interviews were conducted with each participant and their comments to online support groups were collected. Data were collected and analyzed using inductive analysis, the constant comparative method, memoing, and theoretical sampling strategies. Trustworthiness of the analysis was obtained using multiple methods, including peer de-briefing and member checking. A model of information seeking, personal health information disclosure, and similarity assessment in online support groups was derived from the analysis. The model highlights one of the central contributions that this study makes to our current understanding of information behavior: similarity assessment, or the process of finding people who are similar in online support groups both as human sources of information and as people with whom to disclose. The assessment of similarity changes over time as experience and knowledge evolve. The findings presented in this dissertation add to our theoretical understanding of information behavior; they also intersect with theories from other disciplines, including communications and nursing. They also have practical implications for healthcare providers and designers of information systems.Doctor of Philosoph

Chat Reference in the Time of COVID-19: Transforming Essential User Services

Reference is an essential service for academic libraries, whether or not face-to-face communication is possible. This research explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic library virtual reference services, especially live chat. Through analysis of interviews and a national survey of librarians responsible for adapting their institution's response to physical service closures and reductions, this investigation aims to understand how COVID-19 transformed chat reference, and how users responded to new and evolving services

A spectrum of approaches to health information interaction: From avoidance to verification

People respond to illness in a range of ways, and take different approaches to engaging with health information throughout the course of their illness. This study describes and explains the variety of approaches to health information interactions made by patients on hemodialysis. Ethnographic observations (156 hours) were conducted in three hemodialysis clinics, and semistructured interviews about health information were held with 28 patients. Demographic data were collected. Data were analyzed qualitatively. We found a spectrum of five approaches to health information: avoiders, who close themselves off from health information; receivers, who encounter information in the dialysis clinic but do not seek it out; askers, who only pose questions about health to their healthcare providers but otherwise do not seek; seekers, who actively look for health information both in and out of the clinic; and verifiers, who seek information and triangulate it among multiple sources. Trust in healthcare providers and coping sociality differed across approaches. The findings indicate that health information should be provided to patients using strategies tailored to their preferences and existing approaches to information interaction.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156165/2/asi24310_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156165/1/asi24310.pd

Information marginalization among young adult gay and bisexual men seeking mental healthcare

Research Aims. Gay and bisexual men are underserved in mental health care with disparities in meeting mental healthcare needs compared to straight men. This study seeks to understand the mental health information behaviours and practices of young adult gay and bisexual men. Significance. By examining how information marginalization occurs within this context, we can explore ways that socio-technical processes place young adult gay and bisexual men in information margins. Methods, results, and discussion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 individuals to understand their experiences searching for mental health care. There are similarities to what we already know about information marginalization, including lack of access to information, lack of trustworthy information sources, information being withheld, overload and satisficing, income inequality, and diversity. However, there are also differences such as the way satisficing occurs, secrecy, homophily, and the need to build trust with the provider. Recommendations. Information systems must increase the visibility of relevant information to young gay and bisexual men. Conclusions. This study begins to highlight the similarities and differences within this unique population to the theory of information marginalization and demonstrates its potential transferability.Peer Reviewe

A “silver lining” for covid-19: accelerating online engagement and future reach of information literacy instruction

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted academic library operations including delivery of information literacy instruction (ILI). In addition to transitioning ILI services online, librarians faced many challenges in evolving pedagogical practices, experimenting with and implementing new technologies, and organizing digital ILI programs including managing changes in audience and volume. This paper explores ILI data from a two-part longitudinal survey conducted with 300 academic librarians and 28 semi-structured interviews with reference and user services leaders of academic libraries to understand how libraries transitioned ILI services and the implications for librarian education. Results suggest that this was a significant and challenging shift and qualitative analysis identifies themes for development including New Services, Organization and Adaptation to ILI Delivery Platforms, and ILI Volume Changes. The changes brought on by the shift to online ILI will continue to influence librarianship into the future and the discussion suggests areas of development for curricula in library education

“I want your kidney!” Information seeking, sharing, and disclosure when soliciting a kidney donor online

Objective This study investigates how people use the Internet to search for an altruistic kidney donor. Although many opinion pieces on this phenomenon have been written, this is the first qualitative study focused on online kidney solicitation from the potential recipient’s point of view. Methods Eight participants – four who successfully found donors and four who were still searching – were interviewed, and inductive content analysis was performed. Results Three themes appear in our data: choosing to go online to find a donor, information hubs, and information flow. These themes emphasize the process of information seeking and disclosure when using the Internet to find an altruistic kidney donor. Conclusion The benefits from searching online are not limited to the possibility of finding a kidney donor. Our participants also experience a wide variety of socially supportive activities from their online networks. Additionally, our participants felt that the potential benefits of finding a donor online outweighed risks to their privacy. Practice implications Not all potential recipients will find a kidney donor online. Participants indicated that through sharing educational information, staying positive, and actively maintaining their online solicitation efforts they received numerous social benefits even if they did not find a kidney donor

Health information behavior research with marginalized populations

As part of an increasingly vibrant area of research, information behavior scholars have shown that traditionally marginalized populations (e.g., older adults, LGBTQ people, people of color, low‐income people and people with chronic diseases or disabilities) may have distinct health information needs and information behaviors. These differences may arise from unique patterns in marginalized groups’ life experiences, health risks and burdens, social networks and available resources, as well as dynamics of social marginalization and exclusionary service design. This subfield of information studies challenges established notions of health information‐seeking behaviours to further develop theories and models, as well as propose new models for information services and technologies. The unique characteristics of marginalized populations have necessitated the development of novel research approaches and methods, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations and community‐based partnerships. This panel invites audience members to think critically about what it means to engage marginalized populations in research and the methods and approaches needed to do so in a health context. It will also allow participants to broaden their understanding about the health information‐seeking behaviors of marginalized populations. Panelists will introduce and contextualize marginalized populations’ health information‐seeking behaviours and explore potential or existing connections between themes from a variety of disciplines. Following a brief introduction and presentations from five panelists (who are themselves exploring marginalized populations’ health information‐seeking behaviours), there will be an open discussion session with the audience in a World Café format.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139108/1/pra214505401073.pd

A Systematic Evaluation of Websites Offering Information on Chronic Kidney Disease

In this study, we described the content and characteristics of 40 non-proprietary websites offering information about chronic kidney disease (CKD) and evaluated their information quality using the DISCERN scale and readability using Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid grade level. The areas in which the websites scored the lowest on the DISCERN scale were whether the website discussed knowledge gaps, presented balanced information, and was clear about the information source. Websites that rated higher quality on the DISCERN scale were more difficult to read. The quality and readability of many websites about CKD to be used as meaningful educational resources for patients who desire to learn more about CKD and treatment options remain inadequate