Some advice from Karen Busch

I met with Karen this afternoon and got some advice for our study...

1. Work with whatever faculty is willing. The variables as to level, discipline, etc. can be accounted for during the data analysis.

2. FDC will work with us as to determine sample size, etc.

3. Random selection of students who will use GS or dbases. Instructors will not know who wrote what paper so as not to be biased in their grading.

4. At least 2 teaching sessions should be given to all the students about the evaluation of scholarly resources. They should be given one teaching session, have them do some searches, then given another session forevaluation and review. Studies show that one session is not enough to affect any retention of information (says alot for our BI sessions, eh?).

5. Have 4 students from each class (2 GS and 2 dbase) be observed as to how they searched for the information. The observer should watch and record what the students did. We have $ to pay a GA to do this and write up the results (or even a student from SI).

6. The bibs should be evaluated by the library subject specialist, but standards must be written up so all are doing the same evaluations.

7. A short survey should be done for each student prior to writing their paper asking such questions as: age, class, research experience, sex, major.

8. The teaching faculty will evaluate the resulting papers and will not know who used GS or dbases.

9. Ideally, the assignment should be a 5 page paper.

10. There is no deadline for the resulting product. It would be good to get everything in place this semester and execute the study next semester.

11. We can probably get more $ than originally promised as there are fewer groups than Karen anticipated so there is more $/group available.

This is very exciting. We will get a great study out of our work! Thanks to everyone!