FOSTERING COLLABORATION THROUGH QUALITATIVE RESEARCHMETHODS: INVESTIGATING INFORMATION NEEDS OF GEOSCIENCEEDUCATORS

摘要

Quantitative research designed to count and measure the use of information sources, systems, or services provided by the academic library and librarian does little to inform on the information needs of geoscience educators for teaching. In contrast to a system-centered focus on the use of a library, this study employed a qualitative research design with a person-centered focus to examine the information user and solicit the viewpoint of participants directly.An interpretive, naturalistic inquiry approach was employed to investigate the information needs and behaviors of geoscience educators for course development and instruction. Triangulation of research methods included interview, document review, and observation. A purposive sample of seven educators from four universities located in Mid-western United States participated. While the researcher was the primary data-gathering instrument, the study was conducted in the natural setting of participants, educators' offices and classrooms. Multiple interviews were transcribed verbatim; transcripts and document review analyses were checked for accuracy and interpretation by participants. In contrast to past research findings, this study demonstrated for university teaching that preference went beyond the use of books or journals and that these educators bypassed their academic libraries and librarians. While these research results cannot be generalized for all educators, this research design may act as a model to foster collaboration between the geoscience educator and librarian to raise awareness of current library services and lead to new opportunities to enhance teaching.