1. Project SAILS: An Information Literacy Research Project Carolyn Radcliff Kent State University

2. About the Project S tandardized A ssessment of I nformation L iteracy S kills National survey Grant-funded The questions:

3. Does information literacy make a difference to student success?

4. Does the library contribute to information literacy?

5. How do we know if a student is information literate?

6. How SAILS Began Perceived need – no tool available Project goal: make a tool Valid Reliable Enable cross-institutional comparison Easy to administer for wide delivery Acceptable to university administrators

7. The Role of Collaboration Widening circles Colleagues Library leadership Expertise on campus Presentations: call for collaboration Consultants National organizations Advisory group

8. The Project Structure Kent State team Ohio ACRL chapter (ALAO) grant Ohio Board of Regents grant (collaboration with Bowling Green State University) IMLS National Leadership grant ARL partnership agreement

9. The Kent State Team

10. Project Parameters/ Research Methods The tool would be a test. Systems design approach. Measurement model is item response theory. Computerized adaptive testing, became computer- based testing.

11. Project Status A name and a web site Phase I (IMLS grant) complete 6 institutions Phase II underway 40 institutions Phase III starting Monday 75 institutions

12. Status (Future Tasks) Complete bank of test items Develop system for benchmarking Create discipline-specific modules Help institutions do additional analyses on their own

13. After the IMLS Grant What have we learned? Analyze data and other input Review suggestions and requests Work through administrative challenges Check progress: Does the instrument do what we want it to? Are institutions getting what they need?

14. Tips Stay the course. Keep your vision or question in mind. Blend different personalities. Find expertise. Respond to stakeholders. Set deadlines. Communicate!

15. As you think about your research… What question are you trying to answer? (Be able to articulate this clearly.) What information do you need to answer that question? How will you get that information?