Evaluation of Reference Services—A Review

Kuruppu, Pali U.

doi:10.1016/j.acalib.2007.01.013

Cited by 25 publications

(23 citation statements)

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“…According to the US Census (2005), 55 percent of the households had Internet access in 2003. With the rapid rise of Internet use, a Web‐based survey is becoming more commonly utilized for data collection for social science research (Kuruppu, 2007). Web‐based data collection is a cost‐effective and time‐efficient alternative to traditional methods (e.g., mail survey) because it eliminates data entry errors and both publishing and distribution costs, and ensures quick responses and at the same time increasing accessibility (Kaplowitz, Hadlock, & Levine, 2004; Kuruppu, 2007; Miller et al., 2002).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the rapid rise of Internet use, a Web‐based survey is becoming more commonly utilized for data collection for social science research (Kuruppu, 2007). Web‐based data collection is a cost‐effective and time‐efficient alternative to traditional methods (e.g., mail survey) because it eliminates data entry errors and both publishing and distribution costs, and ensures quick responses and at the same time increasing accessibility (Kaplowitz, Hadlock, & Levine, 2004; Kuruppu, 2007; Miller et al., 2002). In addition, a Web survey can yield as effective a response rate as a mail survey and more detailed qualitative answers than a mail survey (Kaplowitz et al., 2004; Kiernan, Kiernan, Oyler, & Gilles, 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, a Web survey can yield as effective a response rate as a mail survey and more detailed qualitative answers than a mail survey (Kaplowitz et al., 2004; Kiernan, Kiernan, Oyler, & Gilles, 2005). In spite of the above advantages, however, there remain some areas of concern, such as generalizability to non‐Internet literate (Kuruppu, 2007).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-representations in Early Adolescence: Variations in Sibling Similarity by Sex Composition and Sibling Relationship Qualities

Gamble

2010

Social Development

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Self-representations play an important role in adolescent development. This study compared self-representations for siblings and explored whether sibling relationship characteristics are associated with similarities or differences in sibling self-concepts. We examined self-representations of 438 adolescent sibling dyads (M age younger sibling = 11.6 years, M age older = 14.3 years), finding that siblings are, on average, similar in their self-representations. This similarity varied, however, depending on sex composition and sibling relationship qualities. Results indicated that sibling modeling, warmth, and conflict were especially influential in predicting sibling resemblance vs. dissimilarity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-representations in Early Adolescence: Variations in Sibling Similarity by Sex Composition and Sibling Relationship Qualities

Gamble

2010

Social Development

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“…La técnica de focus groups se empleó para conocer la opinión de los usuarios sobre la evaluación de los SRV, contribuyendo a la participación y el intercambio de experiencias en el grupo (Whitlatch, 2001 de obtener información sobre experiencias, pensamientos, preocupaciones y valores de los usuarios (Kuruppu, 2007).…”

Section: Metodologíaunclassified

El uso de mapas conceptuales para la evaluación de los servicios de referencia virtual de las bibliotecas universitarias: una experiencia práctica

Pinto

Manso

2012

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Núm. 57, mayo/agosto, 2012, México, ISSN: 0187-358X, pp. 249-269 mapa conceptual como instrumento de diagnóstico y prospección a la vez que herramienta visual que permita observar y comparar gráficamente los criterios fundamentales aportados por los participantes en el análisis. Los resultados solicitan una mayor implicación del usuario, y la formación en habilidades informacionales desde el propio SRV.Palabras Clave: Servicio de Referencia Virtual; evaluación; Mapas conceptuales; Servicio de Referencia Virtual; Usuarios; Evaluación de servicios. Abstract Concept maps as a way to evaluate virtual reference services in univerity libraries : a practical approach María Pinto and Ramón A. MansoImplementing Information Technologies in library services requires some dynamic issues in its design and development, as the case of 'Virtual Reference Services' (VRS), which also must be evaluated on a regular basis. The aim of this study was to establish from the opinion of a group of librarians, participants in courses, about "how to build an VRS"; which elements are to provide quality and its projection, always from a perspective of users as the core of the analysis. The qualitative methodology is based on the use of 'concept maps' as a diagnosis and prospecting tools as well as a visual tool for observing and comparing graphically the basic criteria provided by the participants in the analysis. The results show that greater interaction with users is required as well as training in information skills from the VRS.

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“…As mentioned earlier, in obtrusive evaluation from the user perspective, survey, interview and focus groups are often employed, among which survey is the most popular. Kuruppu (2007) reviewed the literature on reference evaluation methodologies and discussed how each of the three methods, among others, should be used in evaluating reference services. For instance, when discussing the survey method, Kuruppu (2007) covered issues such as survey modality, response rate, the selection of a representative sample, the use of scales, exemplar studies, established instruments , and the inherent weakness of this method.…”

Section: Methodologies For User-oriented Reference Service Evaluationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reference service evaluation at an African academic library: the user perspective

Buer

2015

Library Review

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Purpose: This paper provides a detailed discussion of a large-scale library reference evaluation study conducted at the University of Education, Winneba (UAE) in Ghana. The study seeks to evaluate the reference service from the user perspective, focusing on how users use and perceive the service.Design/methodology/approach: Self-administered survey was used as the data collection instrument. One thousand questionnaires were distributed to library users in a three-week period, and the response rate was 63.7%. Findings:The reference service had a high non-use rate of 42.6%, which was primarily attributed to library users' self-sufficiency and lack of awareness of the service. The top three motivations for library users to use the reference service were class assignments, personal interests, and using library facilities. Although their overall altitude was positive, users felt that reference librarians were more successful at exhibiting customer service qualities than performing tasks related to identifying users' information needs and searching/locating relevant information to fulfill the needs. Practical implications:The knowledge gained from this study will deepen the understanding of how the reference service is utilized and perceived by library users and offer insights on how to enhance the services to optimize the user experience.Originality/value: This study yields an enriched view of reference service provision in the African context. Its findings will help other academic libraries in Africa successfully plan and implement their own reference evaluation efforts and ultimately encourage more evidence-based library practices in the developing world.

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Evaluation of Reference Services—A Review

Cited by 25 publications

References 50 publications

Self-representations in Early Adolescence: Variations in Sibling Similarity by Sex Composition and Sibling Relationship Qualities

Self-representations in Early Adolescence: Variations in Sibling Similarity by Sex Composition and Sibling Relationship Qualities

El uso de mapas conceptuales para la evaluación de los servicios de referencia virtual de las bibliotecas universitarias: una experiencia práctica

Reference service evaluation at an African academic library: the user perspective

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