Assessment in Action @ SBCC 2013-2014: Research

From the author: “The University of West Georgia’s Ingram Library has offered a fifteen-week two-hour credit course since 1998. In a longitudinal study covering twelve years, the library analyzed the progression and graduation rates of more than fifteen thousand students. Students who took the class during their undergraduate career were found to graduate at much higher rates than students who never took the class. The library examined students’ high school GPAs and aptitude test scores but were unable to account for the increase through any difference in precollegiate achievement.”

“Like many librarians, we long observed, anecdotally, how information literacy—a complex set of skills that involves the ability to use technology to find, evaluate, contextualize, and communicate information effectively—improved student success, particularly at the beginning of their undergraduate careers. But it was not until he read a study that assessed the impact of information literacy on the academic performance of community college students over time that he had evidence of its effectiveness. Information literacy has now undeniably been shown to raise students’ GPA scores and graduation rates.”

Abstract: This article reports on an analysis of data that tracks close to 2000 students in an urban public community college over a five year period to gather baseline data on the potential impact of information literacy instruction on standard indicators of student success—retention, graduation rates, pass rates on required proficiency exams in math, reading, and writing, GPA and credits earned. The data show a statistically significant trend that favors the students who have taken information literacy workshops,
showing a higher rate of success in every category than students who did not participate in our information literacy program.

Abstract from author : “The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which academic libraries participate in and assess initiatives to increase or maintain student enrollment levels at colleges and universities in the US. The findings also suggest the need for the profession to focus on creating assessment tools to measure library impact on recruitment and retention. Originality/value – No other studies have surveyed the academic library field to document the extent to which they participate in and assess recruitment and retention initiatives.”

Demonstrating connections between library use and undergraduate student achievement has proven a difficult task through the years. Several authors have suggested outcomes to which academic libraries contribute such as: retention, grade point average, and information literacy outcomes.

Academic libraries, like other university departments, are being asked to demonstrate their value to the institution. This study discusses the impact library usage has on the retention and academic success of first-time, first year undergraduate students at a large, public research university. Usage statistics were gathered at the University of Minnesota during the Fall 2011 semester for thirteen library access points. Analysis of the data suggests first-time, first-year undergraduate students who use the library have a higher GPA for their first semester and higher retention.

Abstract: The Library Impact Data Project was a six month project funded by JISC and managed by the University of Huddersfield to investigate the hypothesis that: ‘There is a statistically significant correlation across a number of universities between library activity data and student attainment’. E-resources usage, library borrowing statistics and library gate entries were measured against final degree award for 33,074 undergraduate students across eight UK universities. The research successfully demonstrated a statistically significant relationship between library resource use and level of degree result; however any conclusions drawn are not indicators that library usage and student attainment have a causal relationship.

Abstract: The Attaining Information Literacy Project has focused on identifying first-year college students with below-proficient information literacy skills, gaining an understanding of those students’ self-views and perceptions of information literacy, gaining an understanding of their instructional experiences and preferences, and developing an intervention that will address their instructional needs. Focus groups were conducted with students with below-proficient skills to determine their instructional preferences. The findings from the focus groups indicate that students place a high value on personal relevance in the knowledge and skills they are learning, and they prefer a combination of demonstration and hands-on activities, interaction with the instructor and other students, and the availability of supplemental instructional materials in the form of handouts. In addition, they feel that incentives to participate in instruction are crucial and that a number of communication strategies are needed to advertise effectively the availability of instructional sessions.

This qualitative study examines academic libraries and developmental education. The study was based on semi structured telephone interviews with 31 librarians from 21 states. Interview questions focused on instruction services for developmental students, library collections for developmental students, collaboration with developmental education instructors and learning centers, and professional development related to developmental education. Analysis of the results shows that librarians apply sound pedagogy when infusing basic library skills into developmental education and academic success courses, design assignments with high probability of student success, reduce library anxiety and build student confidence, and develop and promote library collections beneficial to developmental students. From fall to spring than non-library users.

This study explored the motivational aspects of information literacy skills instruction delivered by librarians in community college libraries. Librarians and students at seven community colleges were interviewed and observed. Involvement of faculty, use of technology, and students’ on- and off-task behaviors also were investigated. Data analyses used Keller’s ARCS Model, ACRL standards, and Small and Arnone’s Motivation Overlay for Information Skills Instruction. The majority of strategies used were to gain and maintain students’ attention. The range of strategies, rather than the number of strategies, appeared to positively affect student motivation.

In a period of fiscal constraint, when assumptions about the library as place are being challenged, administrators question the contribution of every expense to student success. Libraries have been successful in migrating resources and services to a digital environment accessible beyond the library. What is the role of the library as place when users do not need to visit the building to utilize library services and resources? We argue that the college library building’s core role is as a space for collaborative learning and community interaction that cannot be jettisoned in the new normal.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the causes and potential solutions to, student attrition. With student attrition rates reaching between 30 and 50 per cent in the United States, and over 20 per cent in Australia, the inability of higher education institutions to retain their students is a significant issue. This paper cites key risk factors which place students at risk of non-completion, which include mental health issues, disability, socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Furthermore, first year students and higher degree by research students are susceptible to attrition. The capacity of a student to develop a sense of belonging within the higher education institution is recognized by this paper as a being a critical factor determining student retention. The creation of a caring, supportive and welcoming environment within the university is critical in creating a sense of belonging. This can be achieved by the development of positive student/faculty relationships, the presence of a well resourced counselling center and the encouragement of diversity and difference.

For academic librarians seeking to demonstrate the value of their libraries to their parent institutions, it is important to understand not only the current climate. We must also know what will be valued in the future so that we can begin to take appropriate action now. This document presents 26 possible scenarios based on an implications assessment of current trends, which may have an impact on all types of academic and research libraries over the next 15 years. The scenarios represent themes relating to academic culture, demographics, distance education, funding, globalization, infrastructure/facilities, libraries, political climate, publishing industry, societal values, students/learning and technology. They are organized in a “scenario space” visualization tool, reflecting the expert judgment of ACRL members as to their expectations and perceptions about the probability, impact, speed of change and threat/opportunity potential of each scenario. Finally, the study draws out implications for academic libraries. For scenarios which have been identified as high impact with a high probability of occurring, it is incumbent upon library directors and those who set strategic agendas for academic libraries to plan to act now upon these scenarios. This report reinforces the notion that academic libraries are part of a larger ecosystem, and librarians should be consistently scanning the environment to look for signs of the changes that may come. It includes an appendix with a suggested activity to engage library colleagues in stretching your imaginations and considering possible futures. This can build capacity to engage in strategic thinking and planning, supporting librarians in making better decisions now that can address a variety of possible futures.

This study examined Library Anxiety in a cohort of developmental English students. Levels of anxiety were measured in 191 students using Bostick’s Library Anxiety Scale. Thirteen of those students were then interviewed about their use, knowledge and valuation of their campus library. The results of the interviews were compared against the measured anxiety levels. While use of the library had connections to levels of Library Anxiety, library knowledge was primarily affected by the behaviors and attitudes of classroom instructors. Students held high opinions of the library, and librarians; however, this did not result in better use of it or its resources.

Confidence, which may be dependent upon previous experiences and achievements, can be an important contributor to student success. A major goal for many academic libraries is to develop students’ information literacy (IL) skills and consequently their confidence in performing IL tasks.