Interviewing scientists for their library and information needs

Jeffery LooJLLoo@lbl.gov

April 2010

Survey goals1Identify best practices for information activitiesLearn and then promoteAssess gap between perceived and actual

2Identify information resources and services needed

results will help determine priorities for planning

What is the survey’s approach?

interviews – open ended conversations

Advantages of interviews

open-ended questionscast a wide net

rich responses

understand context and natural settingtwo birds with one stoneunderstand needs and explain library services

How do the interviews work?

snowball samplingbegin with LLC members their contacts their contacts

6 degrees of separation interview a diverse group

email participants to arrange meeting

interviews are anonymous

fundamental research

objectives

associated information

activities

supportive information services, resources, tools

Q: Best practices?

checkmark those activities that they …• find easy to accomplish• feel works well• feel confident about

why?

what advice for fellow researchers?

Q: What needs improvement?

circle items that are unnecessarily complicated

why?

what would be helpful?

conclude the survey

requests for resources and services?

questions?

How will the results be used?

We could acquire ideas and suggestions :

promotion and marketing of existing resources

potential acquisition of new resources

potential services development

instructional opportunities

library planning

We need your help

improvements to survey?

suggestions for participant recruitment?

Haiku summary

Good service meets yourneeds, experiences – let’sinterview, then plan.