Weekly Reading #4

Questions:
1. What surprises you about the strategies digital age students use as they conduct research for course assignments?

• "Librarians were tremendously underutilized by students. Eight out of 10 of the respondents reported rarely, if ever, turning to librarians for help with course-related research assignments. (Head & Eisenberg, 2009)."  Maybe FSU just has a tremendously nurturing and caring library staff that I felt as ease turning to during my time as an undergrad, but it was surprising that so few utilized the library staff.

2. How accurately do the findings from this study reflect your own research strategies?

• Besides the fact that I utilized the librarians as an undergrad, I am with the majority in this article.  I use course texts first, then google.  I often use scholarly databases from the FSU Library site(and was shown this long ago in class by a librarian).  I use convenient and nearby resources.   

3. This study provides a detailed description of the parameters of research assignments typical required for academia. How does it differ from the kinds of research people do in the workplace?

• It depends on the workplace.  Often, academic research is very narrow and guided by professors or a text.  We are often graded on our academic research so accuracy is key.  It is not that we want inaccurate research in the workplace, but it is more lax as we are just trying to research something to answer a question.  For example, as a teacher I might just research the best way to teach slope to get an idea of what I want to do in my classroom.  In the workplace (and every day life), students are more inclined to go to Google, Wikipedia, and friends for finding context.  I know that if I have a quick question in the workplace or life that need answers, I grab my Smart Phone and do a google search.  

4. Do you think the recommendations to improve research process for college students will better prepare students for the world outside of school?

• Yes! Especially if librarians are reviewing student needs now (not what was needed in the past). "Librarians may want to initiate their analysis by asking what percentage of their campus are using the library, for what particular resources or services, and why or why not? At the same time, we recommend librarians seriously question whether they are developing a set of “niche services,” which only reach a small percentage of students (Head & Eisenberg, 2009)."  If librarians are providing up to date and need-based services, I don't see why it won't help students outside of school in every day research.

5. Find an image that relates to searching for information. Embed the image in your blog and provide proper attribution.

• How appropriate- The Top 10 Things 21st Century Librarians Do!
• Image Source: http://ginajmillsap.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/21stCenturyLibrarian10cs.jpg

Source:
Head, A.J. & Eisenberg, M.B. (2009). LESSONS LEARNED: How College Students Seek Information
in the Digital Age. Retrieved from: http://kennison.name/files/zopestore/uploads/libraries/documents/student-info-seeking-2009.pdf