Association of College and Research Libraries
Distance Learning Section
Research Committee

Questionnaire on Topics to be Researched on Library Services for Distance Learning

Introduction

Part of the Committee's charge is to "identify areas where research is needed." To this end, the following questionnaire has been developed to enable practitioners, administrators, and other interested individuals to select five (5) areas of distance learning library services that require immediate attention in terms of research studies.

This survey replicates one conducted by the Research Committee in 1994. The objectives of the current survey are to:

The following questionnaire consists of two lists. The first list includes a number of new topics identified from the literature. The second contains the topics from the 1994 survey. The Committee requests that you take a few minutes to review all the topics and select a total of five from both lists that you feel are of paramount importance in terms of research studies. Once you have selected your five most important topics, you are invited to specify your particular interest within each area.

The basic question to be answered by this survey is:

What research needs to be conducted in order to enhance the academic credibility of distance learning library services and provide a knowledge base for writing papers and conducting further research?

Your responses to this questionnaire will help to identify potential research projects that could enhance the delivery of library services to distance learning programs.

Instructions:

  1. Select the five (5) topics from the following two lists that you feel are the most important or significant for research purposes. Please note that you are asked to select a total of five topics from both lists, not five topics from each list.
  2. Under "Other" at the end of the questionnaire, you may add areas of interest not covered in either list.
  3. Rank your five choices by marking "1", "2", "3", "4", or "5" beside the appropriate topics. Please do not select more than five choices.
  4. Underneath each of your five choices, please specify what aspect of this general area needs new or further research. Be as specific as possible. e.g. Library instruction for distance learners. I am interested in research on how distance learners respond to videoconferencing versus classroom lectures.

New topics (2000):

1. Web-based library tutorials for distance learners.

2. Web-delivered classes that teach library skills and research (effective use of the web as an instructional tool).

3. Web pages for distance learners that provide library information or connect them to services (electronic reference, document delivery, interlibrary loan).

4. The use of "envelope products" such as WebCT to provide features such as chat sessions and the independent use of computer conferencing, videoconferencing, and live chat sessions to provide library support to distance learners.

5. Electronic reference services for distance learners.

6. Collaboration with computing personnel to support networked learners.

7. Collaboration with faculty to integrate library and electronic resources into web-based courses.

8. Integrating information literacy standards into the curriculum for distance learners.

9. Computer literacy and computer skills of distance learners.

10. Information-seeking behavior of users of electronic resources.

11. Usability studies of Web resources for distance learners.

12. Use of full-text electronic resources in distance learning.

13. Electronic reserves and the digitization of library materials for distance learners.

14. Intellectual property issues in distance learning, including copyright and class ownership.

15. Authentication/authorization/proxy server issues in remote access to electronic resources.

16. Licensing issues in providing remote access to databases.

17. Impact of virtual universities (e.g. Western Governors University) on library services for distance learning.

18. Library implications of "2 x 2" programs (university programs at community colleges or other institutions).

19. Use or application of the ACRL or Canadian Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services.

20. User studies as a basis for planning and delivering library services to distance learners.

21. Evaluation of library services for distance learning.

22. Surveys of distance learning library services at other institutions.

23. Practice of distance librarianship (characteristics, professional development needs of librarians serving distance learners, relationship with the rest of the library, factors influencing service delivery).

24. OTHER:

25. OTHER:

26. OTHER:

 

Topics on the 1994 list:

1. Characteristics of distance learners (user profiles, learning styles, perceptions, etc.)

2. Traditional (non-computerized) library instruction for distance learners.

3. Providing library services to independent learners who are not able to use an academic library in person.

4. Satisfaction of distance learners with library services.

5. Service to distance learners from other institutions.

6. Characteristics of faculty/instructors in distance learning programs relationship with the library, cooperation with librarians, etc.)

7. Satisfaction of faculty/instructors with library services for distance learning programs.

8. Characteristics of library staff who serve extended campus programs.

9. Attitudes of regular library staff to serving distance learners.

10. Library education for distance learning librarianship.

11. Perceptions of the campus administration regarding the value of distance learning library services.

12. Applying adult education theory and practice to distance learning library services.

13. Comparison of library assignments in on-campus and distance learning courses.

14. Quality of library service provided to distance learners.

15. Models of distance learning library support systems.

16. Characteristics of libraries at distance learning sites.

17. Collection development issues in distance learning library services.

18. Funding distance learning library services (use of formulas, developing budgets, obtaining support from the campus administration, etc.)

19. Developing new library services for distance learning programs.

20. Promoting/advertising/marketing distance learning library services.

21. User fees for distance learning library services.

22. Writing grant proposals or securing grants to enhance distance learning library services.

23. Document delivery for distance learning programs.

24. Use of online public access catalogues at distance learning sites.

25. Cooperative agreements between libraries to serve distance learning students.

26. Accreditation standards for library support at distance learning sites.

27. Implications of consortia for distance learning library services.

28. Effect of copyright law on distance learning library services.

29. Library support for distance learning programs at specialized locations (military bases, prisons, hospitals, etc.)

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Revised June 22, 2000
http://caspian.switchinc.org/~distlearn/committees/research/researchsurvey.html