Why can’t students get the sources they need? Results from a real availability study Sanjeet Mann Arts & Electronic Resources Librarian, University of Redlands 29 th Annual NASIG Conference, Ft. Worth, Texas May 2, 2014

How do you get full text? LibrarianStudent Paige MannCarlos Puma

Research methods Technical errors = availability study Quantitative Large sample for statistical validity Researcher tests access (“simulated availability”) Human interaction = usability study Qualitative 5-7 users Researcher observes library users (“real availability”)

My methodology Cognitive walkthrough 7 students x 2 searches x 10 results ≈ 142 interactions Jing screen capture software Demographic survey and results spreadsheet Demographic survey results spreadsheet

Outcomes n = 142 interactions

Errors System 29 User 23 Both 10 Students also did not fully test 20 additional items

Severe systems errors A&I database has no OpenURL link Target database refuses the OpenURL A&I database has bad/missing metadata Can info be found in Google? Knowledge base doesn’t offer article-level linking Is student willing to browse?

Student encounters a system error

Severe human errors Didn’t test link Used system incorrectly Overlooked important information Got frustrated and gave up

Student experiences user error

Conceptual model

Questions availability studies can address How often do errors occur? Should we be satisfied with our technical infrastructure? (systems) How often do users need ILL? (interlibrary loan) Do we have enough full text in the collection? (collection development) Are we teaching users what they need to be successful at obtaining electronic resources? (instruction)

For discussion at University of Redlands 61.3% of items were available Compared with 86.5% in my 2013 simulated study Common problems = source metadata, KB support for OA titles 30.3% local availability 2 of 3 items not held in local collection in 2013 simulated study 31% of interactions result in ILL in 2014 real study Threshold concepts vs. search/retrieval mechanics How do you teach students to be thoughtful, resilient searchers?

What would I do differently? Larger, personalized incentives Simplify research design Cognitive walkthrough as group activity Jing + Camtasia Studio worked OK

Further Reading Selective bibliography Presentation Slides University of Redlands availability study datasets 2012 (simulated) 2013 (simulated) 2014 (real)