UNDERSTANDING FACULTY NEEDS OF DIGITAL RESOURCES AND LIBRARIES

Abstract

Use of a particular type of technology or resource is notoriously difficult to study. There are many different dimensions to use, and this complexity cannot be captured using a single research method. This position paper presents the method of a project that we will conduct over the next two years. We describe our formulation of a multi-method approach that will allow us to triangulate our research methods and our sources of data. Our approach will begin with qualitative focus groups of faculty. The protocol is designed to allow themes to emerge based on responses to questions regarding digital resource and digital library use. This will be followed by a large-scale quantitative survey to give us an over-arching picture and identify broad trends.