| Course
Syllabus |
Practicum Project | Research Methods | Resources & Research | Contact |
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- Design a project based on your practicum work site which uses elements of research from observation, quantitative and qualitative analysis, evaluation and interpretation of evidence (documentation). The project can be either based in the social sciences such as user services, information technology or management study, or in the humanities based on archives and special collections.
- Use the resources presented here to help define your project methodology; sample studies will help you define elements of your project.
- Use secondary sources to explore what has been done in your areas of study (literature review).
- *Most importantly, your project should present original work and add value to your work environment.
The Practicum Project
Thinking about the project-
The project is based on your practicum site - it should be specific to your work. For example, it might concern a collection, service and what you observe and experience about it. It should speak to issues and emerging needs and trends.
Projects can be focused in the Social Sciences or Humanities:
User Studies
Collection-based studies
Electronic (virtual) services and collections studies
Discuss project ideas with your site supervisor to explore feasibility and applicability.
Some project elements: observation, discussion, data collection, analysis,
proposed solutions - outcomes, conclusions - recommendations.
Collections-based projects will provide or improve access to a collection,
illustrate and communicate its content and meaning, establish collection contexts and perspectives.
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Research Methods
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/
The Scientific Method
Note the role of observation.
http://phyun5.ucr.edu/~wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6.html
Questionnaires and Surveys
http://www.utexas.edu/learn/surveys/index.html
Usability Testing
http://www.upassoc.org/upa_publications/jus/
Journal of Usability Studies
Read: Usability Testing of Travel Websites
What words and where? Applying
usability testing techniques to name a new live reference service by
Vicky Duncan, BA, MLS, Information Services Librarian and Darlene M. Fichter, BA, MLS, Data Library Coordinator.
Vicky Duncan, BA, MLS, Information Services Librarian and Darlene M. Fichter, BA, MLS, Data Library Coordinator.
Thinking about project design-
