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(1 - 18 of 18)
- Title
- Citizens' Political Information Behaviors during Elections on Twitter in South Korea: Information Worlds of Opinion Leaders.
- Creator
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Lee, Jisue, Mon, Lorri M., Rohlinger, Deana A., Burnett, Gary, Hinnant, Charles C. (Charles Christopher), Florida State University, College of Communication and Information,...
Show moreLee, Jisue, Mon, Lorri M., Rohlinger, Deana A., Burnett, Gary, Hinnant, Charles C. (Charles Christopher), Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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This research investigated South Korean citizens' political information behaviors on Twitter during the 2014 Seoul Mayoral election. By using the mixed methods design of network analysis, tweet content analysis, and interviews, this research examined how citizens collaboratively engaged in the political communication and deliberation via Twitter during an election campaign. Intensive interviews with 13 citizen opinion leaders on Twitter provided the insights into understanding how their...
Show moreThis research investigated South Korean citizens' political information behaviors on Twitter during the 2014 Seoul Mayoral election. By using the mixed methods design of network analysis, tweet content analysis, and interviews, this research examined how citizens collaboratively engaged in the political communication and deliberation via Twitter during an election campaign. Intensive interviews with 13 citizen opinion leaders on Twitter provided the insights into understanding how their perceived societal types, norms, and perception of information value led to certain information sharing behaviors. Also explored was the dynamics of interactions within the virtual public sphere of Twitter as reflected in the conflicts and synergies of multiple information worlds. The Theory of Information Worlds (Jaeger & Burnett, 2010) was used to better understand the current phenomenon of citizens' virtual political communication and deliberation via social media. This research was the first to apply the Theory of Information Worlds into an empirical study examining social worlds of Twitter. This mixed methods research reported both quantitative and qualitative findings identified through the lens of Theory of Information Worlds. Findings from the perspective of network and tweet content analysis demonstrated what information citizens discussed and shared and how they engaged in the collaborative information sharing behaviors (e.g., selective information exposure and/or avoidance) driven by perceived social types, norms, and the perception of information values—opposing political orientations. The separated information worlds were clearly observed through the boundaries between two groups of citizens sharing respective political orientation. The qualitative findings from semi-structured interviews particularly featured how individuals considered as the same social type (e.g., media representatives) interpreted the shared social and/or occupational norms and differently applied them into particular information behaviors. The alteration in interpreting social and/or occupational norms resulted in the creation of conflicts as well as synergies within, between, and across the information worlds. In particular, use of a variety of interview modes in this research (i.e., emails, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) programs, and face-to-face interviews) offered practical strategies, implications, benefits, and drawbacks of interviewing social media users. This research demonstrated the increasing importance of conducting qualitative interviews with social media users in the era of Internet research as well as it suggested a number of practical strategies for how to design, conduct, and analyze intensive interviews. The strategies included the process of identifying purposive set of subjects, recruiting participants, interview scheduling, participant retention, recording, transcribing, translation of the responses, and presentation of the results. Overall, this research attempted to achieve three goals: 1) to provide a holistic and comprehensive view of South Korean citizens' collaborative political information behaviors via Twitter during the election campaign; 2) to investigate the possibility of application of the theory of Information Worlds; and 3) to highlight the importance of using mixed methods design for researching individuals' political information behaviors via social media platforms. Given the lack of research from non-Western politically less stable countries, this case study from South Korean election provided richer empirical findings to the growing body of knowledge.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Lee_fsu_0071E_13138
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Do You Do Birthday Parties?: Caregivers’ Perceptions of Emergent Literacy Programming in Libraries and Their Motivation for Attending.
- Creator
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Clark, Laura K. (Laura Kelly), Gross, Melissa, Woods, Juliann J., Mardis, Marcia A., Mon, Lorri M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show moreClark, Laura K. (Laura Kelly), Gross, Melissa, Woods, Juliann J., Mardis, Marcia A., Mon, Lorri M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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A mixed-method explanatory sequential design utilizing surveys and interviews conducted at three Florida library systems examines caregivers’ perceptions of emergent literacy programming, how these perceptions compare with the National Research Council’s Features for Quality Programs for children, and what is their motivation for attending these programs. The results from the survey and interview reveal that caregivers’ perceptions of emergent literacy programming align with the National...
Show moreA mixed-method explanatory sequential design utilizing surveys and interviews conducted at three Florida library systems examines caregivers’ perceptions of emergent literacy programming, how these perceptions compare with the National Research Council’s Features for Quality Programs for children, and what is their motivation for attending these programs. The results from the survey and interview reveal that caregivers’ perceptions of emergent literacy programming align with the National Research Council’s Features for Quality Programs. The data shows caregivers’ perceptions are very positive toward emergent literacy programming in terms of learning and the environment. Themes emphasized in the interviews on why caregivers are motivated to attend include socialization, getting out of the house, and free access. The results of these surveys and interviews will inform public libraries as to how to design, market, and deliver emergent literacy programming to caregivers with very young children.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_FA2016_Clark_fsu_0071E_13504
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- The Empathetic Librarian: Rural Librarians as a Source of Support for Rural Cyberbullied Young Adults.
- Creator
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Phillips, Abigail Leigh, Mardis, Marcia A., Dennen, Vanessa P., Gross, Melissa, Latham, Don, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show morePhillips, Abigail Leigh, Mardis, Marcia A., Dennen, Vanessa P., Gross, Melissa, Latham, Don, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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Cyberbullying is a problem that many young adults ages 12 to 18 have experienced on a daily basis. Adult support is critical in both the prevention and intervention of cyberbullying. Although parents, teachers, and school administrators have been highlighted as sources of support for cyberbullied young adults, librarians have not been studied as a source of support although school and public librarians engage with teens on a daily basis. Through empathetic services, i.e., activities carried...
Show moreCyberbullying is a problem that many young adults ages 12 to 18 have experienced on a daily basis. Adult support is critical in both the prevention and intervention of cyberbullying. Although parents, teachers, and school administrators have been highlighted as sources of support for cyberbullied young adults, librarians have not been studied as a source of support although school and public librarians engage with teens on a daily basis. Through empathetic services, i.e., activities carried out in everyday in which librarians provide empathy, librarians can support young adults who are experiencing and/or witnessing cyberbullying. Empathy in the library has been infrequently researched within LIS, often under different labels such as pastoral care and customer service. The purpose of this research was to investigate how rural school and public librarians can be a source of support for rural cyberbullied young adults. The study was guided by three research questions in which I explored the types of support rural young adults desired and received from rural librarians as well as the types of support rural librarians perceived they offered. I also contextualized the results with relational communication theory to investigate an additional dimension for understanding empathetic services in the present and possible future research. In this project, I used two qualitative methods: semi-structured interviews and structured video autoethnography. The 14 participants in this project included three school librarians, four public librarians, and seven young adults. The participants were all residents of rural Southwest Georgia. In this project, I focused on rural young adults and rural librarians within this region. In addition to the participants, I also acted as a participant and maintained a personal written autoethnography to reflect on my research process. In my analysis, I found that while young adults often saw librarians as sources for information, mentorship, and everyday help, they also saw potential for librarians to engage in advocacy and empathy in the library for teens. In many interviews and video entries, the librarians frequently highlighted their important role in information provision and instruction for young adult. While a few librarians acknowledged that they provided social, emotional, psychological, and empathetic support for their young patrons, librarian participants typically diminished the importance of this role in their work. However, librarians revealed a desire to not only increase their improve their role as a provider of information and instruction but also to increase the social, emotional, psychological, and empathetic support they provided in their libraries. Since this is an exploratory project, I proposed that future research is needed into relational communication theory as a framework for empathetic services. I also suggested that empathy in the library is a little researched area in LIS and often overlooked by librarians in the field. Additional research is needed in the important role of empathetic services in librarianship. This research fills a gap in the literature about rural librarians as a source of support for rural cyberbullied young adults and introduces the term "empathetic services".
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Phillips_fsu_0071E_13024
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Exploring Data Curation Work in a National Clinical Registry: A Case Study of the CathPCI Registry®.
- Creator
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von Eberstein, Alison M., Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Glueckauf, Robert L., Stvilia, Besiki, Marty, Paul F., Florida State University, College of Communication and...
Show morevon Eberstein, Alison M., Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Glueckauf, Robert L., Stvilia, Besiki, Marty, Paul F., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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Given the expanding use of clinical registries for a spectrum of uses that range from quality improvement, clinical research, identification of the most effective treatments, post market surveillance of drugs and medical equipment, to the design of clinical trials for potential therapies, there is wide consensus that data quality undergirds the value of clinical registries for decision making (Davis, Nolan, Woodcock & Estabrook, 1999). A growing body of IS research is aimed at studying data...
Show moreGiven the expanding use of clinical registries for a spectrum of uses that range from quality improvement, clinical research, identification of the most effective treatments, post market surveillance of drugs and medical equipment, to the design of clinical trials for potential therapies, there is wide consensus that data quality undergirds the value of clinical registries for decision making (Davis, Nolan, Woodcock & Estabrook, 1999). A growing body of IS research is aimed at studying data practices to support data curation and management in the milieu of big data, e-Health and e-Science initiatives. The products of such research enable comparisons of data practices across scientific disciplines and communities by characterizing the data and the data-related activities specific to a domain and context. Through the lens of Stvilia, Gasser, Twidale, & Smith’s (2007) generalizable Quality Assessment Framework, this exploratory case study examined the work organization and data practices of data curators for the American College of Cardiology (ACC)-National Cardiac Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry®, an observational, clinical outcomes registry and one of the largest, best established US cardiovascular registries. Goals of this pragmatic, exploratory case study included: (1) extension of investigations conducted by Besiki Stvilia (2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015), Hong Huang (2009, 2010) and Shuheng Wu (2014), through operationalization of Stvilia et al.’s (2007) Quality Assessment Framework, (2) exploration of the data curation practices and work organization in a clinical cardiac registry at the facility level, and (3) description of the CathPCI Registry activity system for post-dissertation development of a context-sensitive model of data quality criteria in a clinical cardiac registry, which ultimately, can facilitate performance outcomes assessment and clinical research to advance the quality of patient care. The study supplies a depiction of typical CathPCI Registry data curation work that includes a conceptualization of the local Registry data quality structure. Conceptualization of data quality structure entails a typology of Registry data quality problems and corresponding quality assurance actions. The findings are embodied in a description of data work organization of the CathPCI Registry, including: roles of human, hospital-based data curators for the Registry; their data curation work practices; division of labor within the community of practice; types and sources of data quality problems encountered in curators’ use of the CathPCI Registry; some of the tools and strategies data curators use to manage data and to detect and resolve data quality problems; rules governing data curation work; and data curators’ perceptions about Registry data quality.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SU_vonEberstein_fsu_0071E_13036
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Exploring Social Semantic Relationships for Knowledge Representation in Health Through Mining Social Data.
- Creator
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Park, Min Sook, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Charness, Neil, Oh, Sanghee, Urban, Richard J., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School...
Show morePark, Min Sook, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Charness, Neil, Oh, Sanghee, Urban, Richard J., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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Although online searching for health information has grown in recent years, the massive amount and unstructured presentation of information make it difficult for users to find relevant data. Despite efforts to structure information resources online, the existing knowledge organization systems (KOS) have faced many challenges in coping with the quickly evolving databases, mainly due to the rigidity of the existing knowledge representation (KR) systems. The goal of the current study is to...
Show moreAlthough online searching for health information has grown in recent years, the massive amount and unstructured presentation of information make it difficult for users to find relevant data. Despite efforts to structure information resources online, the existing knowledge organization systems (KOS) have faced many challenges in coping with the quickly evolving databases, mainly due to the rigidity of the existing knowledge representation (KR) systems. The goal of the current study is to provide a basis for enriching the existing KR systems in a user-centered way by leveraging online health information users’ KR practices to the existing structured KOS. A social semantic approach was adopted as a theoretical framework of the study. This relatively new approach to KR seeks a way to impart the merits of two different metadata mechanisms: user-generated metadata (i.e., social tags) and ontologies with the aim of bridging the rich vocabularies of Web users to enhance ontology structures. Particular considerations were given to exploring semantic attributes and relationships between social tags and associated unstructured data in social media, based on the existing ontology structure ⎯ the Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS). Two methods ⎯ text mining and content analysis ⎯ were used to comprehend the language capabilities of humans along with the high speed processing ability of computers. A natural language processing tool was also partially used. A total of 341,720 descriptive tags from 50,263 blogs were collected from a social media site: Tumblr. The blogs and tags were used as representations of user-generated documents and descriptive metadata regarding health issues, which can be utilized by non-healthcare professionals. In analyzing usage pattern, semantic categories, and latent relationships among the semantic categories found from user vocabularies in user-generated health resources, preliminary understandings on user’s ordinary online KR practices for health information and semantic structures were gained. The research suggests highly right-skewed vocabulary usage patterns in tags and terms in blogs. Thus, there were a few popular tags and terms. The semantic types identified in tags and in terms used in blogs showed similar distribution patterns. A few of semantic types were very popular while the others were infrequently used both in tags and in blog terms. The relationships structures among the identified semantic types showed health information users tend to associate various semantic groups of tags and terms to represent or describe their health issues. More complicated and strong associations were observed among semantic types in terms used to describe their health issues than those among semantic types in tags. The semantic types in tags and in blog terms were found to have many strong, direct, and close connections each other. Of those identified tags and terms, over half were covered by the existing ontology. When it came to the unmapped vocabularies, less than ten percent were directly related to health issues, showing possible inter-concept relationships to the pre-coordinated concepts in the existing ontology, that is the UMLS. The combination of rich user vocabularies and ontological models could better correspond with health information behavior in reality. The findings of this research have various practical and theoretical implications for understanding information users’ KR practices and for promoting user-oriented knowledge organization or representation systems. The hope is to ultimately contribute toward improving the structure and access of online health resources by conferring richer collective intelligence on KR systems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SU_Park_fsu_0071E_13307
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Implementation of Succession Planning and Management Programs in Academic Libraries: A Mixed-Method Study about Leadership and Other Factors That Contribute to Deans’ Decisions.
- Creator
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Carmichael, Lisandra R., Gross, Melissa, Guthrie, Kathy L, McClure, Charles R., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show moreCarmichael, Lisandra R., Gross, Melissa, Guthrie, Kathy L, McClure, Charles R., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study was to identify and explain the factors that contribute to the implementation of succession planning and management programs (SP&MPs) in academic libraries as a means of addressing the lack of planning for and development of current academic librarians to fill future leadership roles at their libraries through the provision of these programs. Kurt Lewin’s (1947) planned change theory framed the research. The theory guided the understanding of the change process and...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify and explain the factors that contribute to the implementation of succession planning and management programs (SP&MPs) in academic libraries as a means of addressing the lack of planning for and development of current academic librarians to fill future leadership roles at their libraries through the provision of these programs. Kurt Lewin’s (1947) planned change theory framed the research. The theory guided the understanding of the change process and assisted in identifying the driving forces for and restraining forces against a planned change. Understanding and recognizing the forces that can support or impede a planned change may help leaders foresee challenges and opportunities before following through with the change process that includes unfreezing the current status, moving the group towards the desired change, and then refreezing the change at the preferred level. The study found that the deans’ leadership styles affected their decisions to implement SP&MPs as a planned change at their academic libraries and identified driving forces for and restraining forces against program implementation. The study employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory research design that consisted of online questionnaires using the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire self-rater form (MLQ 5x) followed by structured in-depth interviews. The findings from the analyses of the MLQ 5x standardized scale demonstrate that the leadership styles of the academic library deans made a difference in their decisions to implement SP&MPs as a planned change at their libraries. The findings from the analyses of the in-depth interviews demonstrate that many driving forces for and restraining forces against SP&MP implementation affected the deans’ decisions now and may affect their decisions in the future. The driving forces were divided into main categories and included; constant change, library staff training, deans’ perceptions towards the future and the profession, and the budget. The restraining forces were also divided into main categories and included; not enough budget, staff, time, and interest; and too many changes, institutional politics and policies, and organizational cultures. The findings also suggest that additional familiarization with formal SP&MP structure and components could benefit program implementation. The literature review and the findings from this study led the researcher to create a list of practical tips for SP&MP implementation specifically for academic libraries. Limitations of this study are attributable to the sample size and the institutions from which the population derived. The study participants were ten academic library deans from the same public university and college system in a southeastern state in the United States. The focus of this study was limited to academic libraries; it did not include public, school, or special libraries. Future research is suggested to supplement the limitations of this study and to build upon the interpretations of the findings. The study should be replicated using a broader sample of leaders in key positions at various levels of the organization; then a comparison the findings from both studies could be conducted to gain a wider perspective on the issues. Future research could expand the knowledge of library practitioners about the purpose and benefits of SP&MPs to the profession. Current library leadership institutes should consider the inclusion of SP&MP training for higher-level library administrators to encourage program implementation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_FA2016_Carmichael_fsu_0071E_13547
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- In- and Out-of-Character: The Digital Literacy Practices and Emergent Information Worlds of Active Role-Players in a New Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game.
- Creator
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Hollister, Jonathan Michael, Latham, Don, Dennen, Vanessa P., Burnett, Gary, Ho, Shuyuan Mary, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show moreHollister, Jonathan Michael, Latham, Don, Dennen, Vanessa P., Burnett, Gary, Ho, Shuyuan Mary, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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This dissertation explores and describes the in-character and out-of-character information worlds and digital literacy practices of role-players, those that create and enact their characters' or avatars' stories, both within and outside of WildStar, a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) (Carbine Studios, 2015). Utilizing Jaeger and Burnett's (2010) theory of information worlds alongside the Partnership for 21st Century Learning's (2011a) framework for information, media,...
Show moreThis dissertation explores and describes the in-character and out-of-character information worlds and digital literacy practices of role-players, those that create and enact their characters' or avatars' stories, both within and outside of WildStar, a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) (Carbine Studios, 2015). Utilizing Jaeger and Burnett's (2010) theory of information worlds alongside the Partnership for 21st Century Learning's (2011a) framework for information, media, and information communication technology literacy skills as lenses for qualitative content analysis, the researcher describes the social context(s) of the digital literacy practices used by role-players. These skills are crucial for success in the 21st century, in general, as well as in the virtual worlds of MMORPGs due to the amount of information and research needed to advance through the game (Martin, 2011, 2012; Martin et. al, 2012; Partnership for 21st Century Learning, 2011a). This study employs a hybrid ethnographic approach, which is multi-sited and adaptive to allow for a closer following of the research phenomenon and the opportunity to explore emergent behaviors, is accelerated and data intensive, and includes overt engagement in role-playing activities alongside informants in addition to traditional observation. Qualitative data was collected from in-game chatlogs, screenshots, audiovisual recordings, and a sampling of community artifacts, such as forums and other community-mediated websites. Additionally, 17 sets of semi-structured interviews were conducted both in- and out-of-character to better understand the intersections between the informants' real and virtual lives. The findings both confirm and expand upon previous work on the social aspects of digital literacy practices of MMORPG players. Role-playing, as a social and creative activity, is highly dependent on the effective exchange of information. This exchange of information is impacted by the social norms, information values, and boundaries within and across the community. For instance, out-of-character information or disputes should never find their way into an in-character dialogue unless it has been previously discussed during role-playing events or storylines, or unless consent has been granted by both parties involved beforehand. Intuitively, the digital literacy practices of role-players consist of a symbiotic interaction and combination of the normative information behaviors and information value systems of the community. This reinforces the contextual nature of digital literacy and may suggest that issues with the transference of digital literacy skills for use across different settings, such as academic, work, personal, etc., are due to conflicting information value systems despite potentially similar types of information or information behaviors being used. As the first study to apply the theory of information worlds to an ethnographic study of role-players in a MMORPG, the researcher evaluates and potentially expands upon the theory in order to determine its usefulness given the research context and methodology. Additionally, the methodological complications caused by the competing aspects of a study dually tasked with creating a detailed description and protecting the informants of a small and open online community are discussed. Finally, the researcher also discusses how role-playing might be used in the library or classroom for digital literacy skills instruction.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Hollister_fsu_0071E_13100
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Information Exchanged in Mentoring Between Faculty Advisors and Their Doctoral Students.
- Creator
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Lee, Jongwook, Burnett, Gary, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Morris, Richard Jack, Stvilia, Besiki, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information,...
Show moreLee, Jongwook, Burnett, Gary, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Morris, Richard Jack, Stvilia, Besiki, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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Socialization of doctoral students refers to the learning and adjustment process through which they acquire information and knowledge about their work, department, university, and discipline. This dissertation explores characteristics and activities of mentoring relationships and examines information types exchanged in the relationships using a mixed method design that combines qualitative interview and quantitative survey methods. The study draws upon a socialization content framework...
Show moreSocialization of doctoral students refers to the learning and adjustment process through which they acquire information and knowledge about their work, department, university, and discipline. This dissertation explores characteristics and activities of mentoring relationships and examines information types exchanged in the relationships using a mixed method design that combines qualitative interview and quantitative survey methods. The study draws upon a socialization content framework developed in organizational settings. Interviews with ten library and information science (LIS) doctoral students from nine universities in the United States (U.S.) were conducted. Based on data from these interviews, ideal mentoring was defined as a supportive relationship that combines professional and interpersonal characteristics. The author also identified sixteen types of information exchanged in doctoral mentoring: Language, History, Coursework, Research, Skills, Teaching, Networking, Structure, Politics, Goals, Strategies, Values, Norms/Tradition, Rules/Policies, Benefits, and Personal life. In addition to the identification of content dimensions, the author observed four meaningful levels to which the content types can be applied: Work, School/Department, University, and Discipline. The author tested and generalized interview findings through surveying 132 LIS doctoral student participants in the U.S. The survey findings supported the importance of both professional and interpersonal characteristics of mentors, although the participants placed more value on professional than interpersonal characteristics. When comparing participants' perceptions of their current mentors/advisors and ideal mentors, current mentors were quite similar to ideal mentors, although there were statistically significant differences on many characteristics between current advisors and ideal mentors. Moreover, the survey confirmed that information exchange occurs in all of the sixteen types, although frequencies varied. In particular, information exchange was more frequent in the group of participants who considered their advisors to be mentors than it was among those who did not. It was also found that there is a changing pattern in the overall frequency of information exchange across the stages of doctoral work. This dissertation presented faculty mentor characteristics comprehensively and concretely, which will enable faculty advisors to reflect on and improve their mentoring practices. It also suggested doctoral students' experiences from the perspective of information, which contributes to increasing our understanding of its role in the doctoral training process. Through investigation of the types of information exchanged, the author attempted to make the immeasurable and invisible dimension of mentoring measurable and visible in order to illustrate the important role of information and information exchange. Finally, the author proposed a modified definition of mentoring/mentors, adding the dimension of information to existing definitions. Theoretically, the current study addressed the dearth in content framework research in academic settings, especially academic mentoring, and it established a foundation for the examination of interpersonal information behavior in mentoring. Practically, the list of mentor characteristics identified from the study could be referenced to evaluate advisors/mentors, allowing them to address shortcomings. In addition, the study findings may help characterize and understand the doctoral study process from the perspective of information science, which can be used for improving current doctoral advising/mentoring practices, contributing to decreasing students' attrition rates and promote their professional and personal success. Last but not least, the information types can be used to develop a measurement system that evaluates the effectiveness of knowledge transfer and mentoring.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Lee_fsu_0071E_13025
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- The Information Worlds of School Librarians as Digital Learning Leaders.
- Creator
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Luetkemeyer, Jennifer R., Mardis, Marcia A., Woods, Juliann J., Burnett, Gary, Latham, Don, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show moreLuetkemeyer, Jennifer R., Mardis, Marcia A., Woods, Juliann J., Burnett, Gary, Latham, Don, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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K-12 schools are making the move to digital learning resources, and are increasingly integrating technology into the curriculum. With training as both a teacher and an information specialist, the school librarian is in a position to help facilitate this transition to digital. The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which school librarians perceive that they are prepared to act in the role of facilitator, and to determine what factors contribute to those perceptions. The...
Show moreK-12 schools are making the move to digital learning resources, and are increasingly integrating technology into the curriculum. With training as both a teacher and an information specialist, the school librarian is in a position to help facilitate this transition to digital. The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which school librarians perceive that they are prepared to act in the role of facilitator, and to determine what factors contribute to those perceptions. The study was guided by three research questions which explored school librarians’ self-perceptions of their technology leadership abilities, and how their school cultures and information worlds affect those perceptions. In this case study, I used both quantitative and qualitative methods: a survey and follow-up interviews. The participants in this research were all Florida K-12 school librarians. In my analysis, I found that school librarians are largely prepared to act as technology leaders, but that there are many barriers to the enactment of that responsibility, many of which are related to a misunderstanding of the school librarian’s role in the school. This is an exploratory project. Thus, additional research is needed into the factors that affect school librarian’s technology leadership skills enactment. Specifically, research is needed at the national level to determine whether or not the results of this study translate to the larger population of school librarians. Research is also needed into how the school librarian’s role can best be communicated to other school stakeholders. Further, while this research begins to explore the information worlds of school librarians, more extensive studies are needed in order to continue to piece together the many facets of those information worlds.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SU_Luetkemeyer_fsu_0071E_13326
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Investigating Music Information Objects.
- Creator
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Weissenberger, Lynnsey K, Jörgensen, Corinne, Kazmer, Michelle M., Villeneuve, Pat, Marty, Paul F., Urban, Richard J., Florida State University, College of Communication and...
Show moreWeissenberger, Lynnsey K, Jörgensen, Corinne, Kazmer, Michelle M., Villeneuve, Pat, Marty, Paul F., Urban, Richard J., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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This dissertation, titled Investigating Music Information Objects, is a study of the nature, description, representations, and ideas related to music information objects (MIOs). This research study investigates how music practitioners from various traditions describe and conceptualize MIOs, using a theoretical framework to classify such descriptors and characteristics (the term "attributes" might also apply). The introduction in Chapter 1 provides an overview of purpose, problem statement,...
Show moreThis dissertation, titled Investigating Music Information Objects, is a study of the nature, description, representations, and ideas related to music information objects (MIOs). This research study investigates how music practitioners from various traditions describe and conceptualize MIOs, using a theoretical framework to classify such descriptors and characteristics (the term "attributes" might also apply). The introduction in Chapter 1 provides an overview of purpose, problem statement, significance of this research, research questions, approach, and theoretical framework used. Next, Chapter 2 is a literature review of relevant research. Chapter 3 describes the method and analysis procedures that were used. Chapter 4 presents the research findings, and Chapter 5 discusses implications of the study for Information Science and music information research; provides theoretical extensions to the existing framework; and, offers conclusions taken from this study's findings, along with areas for future research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Weissenberger_fsu_0071E_13143
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- A New Framework of Web Credibility Assessment and an Exploratory Study of Older Adults' Information Behavior on the Web.
- Creator
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Choi, Wonchan, Stvilia, Besiki, Charness, Neil, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Mon, Lorri M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School...
Show moreChoi, Wonchan, Stvilia, Besiki, Charness, Neil, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Mon, Lorri M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
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This dissertation research aims to provide a better understanding of people's credibility assessment of online information (i.e., Web credibility assessment), which is an important part of their information behavior. In particular, this research focuses on older adults as a research population as they are a less studied user group in the literature on information credibility. Considering the ever increasing presence of older adults on the Web and their needs for health information in their...
Show moreThis dissertation research aims to provide a better understanding of people's credibility assessment of online information (i.e., Web credibility assessment), which is an important part of their information behavior. In particular, this research focuses on older adults as a research population as they are a less studied user group in the literature on information credibility. Considering the ever increasing presence of older adults on the Web and their needs for health information in their daily lives, this research explores older adults' credibility assessment of online health information within the context of everyday life information seeking (ELIS). The methodology employed in this research consists of a qualitative meta-study (Phase I) and semi-structured interviews (Phase II). In Phase I, the researcher analyzed 84 primary research reports on information credibility, identifying conceptual typologies of important facets of credibility assessment such as conceptualization, operationalization, variability (user characteristics and contexts), and process. Based on these conceptual typologies, the researcher proposed a new, extended framework of Web credibility assessment, named WC framework, that contains three main components, Assessment of WC—i.e., conceptualization and operationalization to measure Web credibility; Variability of WC—i.e., variables regarding individual and context; and Process of WC—i.e., the overall process of Web credibility assessment. In Phase II, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-one older adults whose ages ranged from 61 to 80 (M = 70.3) in the manner of one-on-one, in-person. The purposeful sampling methods, such as convenience sampling and snowball sampling, were used to recruit older adults who meet the sampling criteria of the study: age (55 years old or older), residency (Florida residents for an in-person interview), and Internet use experience. Also, a prescreen test was carried out via a telephone interview to make sure that the participant's cognitive function was adequate for the study. Those who met all the sampling criteria and passed the prescreen test were recruited for an in-person interview which lasted around 45 minutes. The interview data revealed that older adults needed health/wellness information regarding medication and supplements, symptoms of and cures for specific diseases, medical quality assurance, health insurance, nutrition, and exercise. In seeking health information, they used both interpersonal and online sources. As for the interpersonal sources, the research participants mentioned medical professionals (e.g., doctors and physicians), partners, family, and friends. On the Web, they referenced information from non-profit (i.e., non-commercial) institutions' websites such as government websites (e.g., NIH, CDC) and university hospitals' websites (e.g., Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard Medical School). The most frequently mentioned commercial website was WebMD. Depending on the purposes of health information seeking, some interviewees mentioned that they used pharmacists' websites (e.g., Walgreens and CVS). When judging the credibility of online health information, they employed various cues/markers and heuristics that are related to the attributes of the operator (i.e., source), content (i.e., message), and design (i.e., media) of Web resources. Based on the new framework developed in Phase I, the informants' Web credibility assessment process was characterized with the two stages: initial and final evaluations. Lastly, both theoretical and empirical implications of the research and future research directions were discussed. Specifically, the new Web credibility assessment framework (i.e., the WC framework) advanced our understanding of the conceptualization of Web credibility and can be used as a knowledge resource in developing context specific credibility assessment models as well as information system interfaces that provide effective support for information credibility evaluation by users. Likewise, findings from the semi-structured interviews can inform online information system developers and librarians about how older users search for online health information and how they assess its credibility. Ultimately, the findings of this research should help the development of more effective online systems, services, and, training modules that are aligned with the online information behaviors of this rapidly growing, important user population—i.e., older adults.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-9571
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Photovoice of the Cesarean Experience: Cameraphone Photography and Knowledge Sharing by Women Who Have Undergone Cesarean Sections.
- Creator
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Yu, Casey, Kazmer, Michelle M., Opel, Andy, Urban, Richard J., Lustria, Mia Liza A., Hinnant, Lynne C., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information,...
Show moreYu, Casey, Kazmer, Michelle M., Opel, Andy, Urban, Richard J., Lustria, Mia Liza A., Hinnant, Lynne C., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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This dissertation presents findings from a study of knowledge sharing and gaining via cameraphone photography by women who have undergone cesarean sections. Informed by authoritative knowledge, cameraphone photography, and a photo elicitation method known as photovoice, this research sought to understand how cameraphone photography allowed participants to provide a visual context through which empowering discussions about birth and the aftermath of their cesarean births could be explored. To...
Show moreThis dissertation presents findings from a study of knowledge sharing and gaining via cameraphone photography by women who have undergone cesarean sections. Informed by authoritative knowledge, cameraphone photography, and a photo elicitation method known as photovoice, this research sought to understand how cameraphone photography allowed participants to provide a visual context through which empowering discussions about birth and the aftermath of their cesarean births could be explored. To discuss the relationship between authoritative knowledge and cameraphone photography, a theoretical model was created to highlight the ways knowledge is shared via cameraphones (Figure 1). This model was created to illustrate the relationship between authoritative knowledge and cameraphone photography within the context of cesarean births in the U.S. Thirty adult women in the United States were recruited for participation in this study, all of whom had one or more children via cesarean birth. Participants were trained in the purpose of the study, the ethical decisions photographers make, and photographic techniques, and were given themes to address relating to knowledge sharing and gaining via their cesarean birth experiences. Analysis of these data indicates using cameraphone photography allowed participants to share details, and the knowledge they gained, of their cesarean births with other mothers who had also undergone cesarean deliveries. Further research is indicated, to continue to refine the Authoritative Knowledge Model of Cesarean Births, and determine its applicability to topics beyond birth.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SU_Yu_fsu_0071E_13390, 10.17125/fsu.etd.2016.1
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Research Data Curation Practices in Institutional Repositories and Data Identifiers.
- Creator
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Lee, Dong Joon, Stvilia, Besiki, Meyer-Baese, Anke, Jörgensen, Corinne, Urban, Richard J., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
- Abstract/Description
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The access and sharing of research data have been emphasized by the government, funding agencies, and scholarly communities. The increased access to research data increases the impact, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness, of scientific activities and funding. The access, however, is facilitated not just by appropriate policies but also by the employment of effective infrastructure mechanisms, including enhancing data with effective metadata (Simmhan, Plale, & Gannon, 2005)....
Show moreThe access and sharing of research data have been emphasized by the government, funding agencies, and scholarly communities. The increased access to research data increases the impact, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness, of scientific activities and funding. The access, however, is facilitated not just by appropriate policies but also by the employment of effective infrastructure mechanisms, including enhancing data with effective metadata (Simmhan, Plale, & Gannon, 2005). Identifiers are important metadata that traditionally have been used for entity identification, linking, and referencing in various domains (Altman & King, 2007). To enable effective metadata creation support for research data, it is essential to gain a better understanding of the current uses of identifier systems with research data. As many research institutions plan to provide some types of research data services (Tenopir, Birch, & Allard, 2012), it is important to study the current practices of data curation in IRs. In particular to develop effective data management infrastructure configuration templates, it is essential to understand user needs and related activities for data curation in IRs, including different roles played by IR staff and role-specific differences in needs for skills and infrastructure support (Foster, Jennings, & Kesselman, 2004). Furthermore, it is important to investigate both the current practices of identifier use and the requirements for quality and functionalities for identifier schemas in order to design effective metadata support for research data curation in IRs. Studying the practices of research data curation requires multifaceted contextual analysis (Borgman, Wallis, & Enyedy, 2007). Hence this study, too, required a research design that could help examine and capture various sociotechnical and cultural factors that may affect data curation, including the selection and uses of identifier schemas for data. The study used Activity Theory (Engeström, 1987; Leontiev, 1978) and Information Quality Assessment Framework (Stvilia, Gasser, Twidale, & Smith, 2007) to guide the design of a protocol for semi-structured interviews. This study reports on data collected from fifteen participants from thirteen different universities in the US. The selection of participants was guided by two criteria. To be eligible for participation in the study, participants had to work for an IR that stored and curated research data objects and housed by one of the 108 institutions classified as RU/VH (very high research activity) in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The study identified data curation activities and contexts (i.e., tools, norms, rules, and division of labor), perceived roles played by IR staff (e.g., data curator, IR manager, and metadata specialist), role-specific sets of activities and skills, and perception of quality identifiers in IRs. The findings of this study can inform the development of best practices and effective infrastructure support for data curation in the context of IRs, as well as teaching data curation in LIS schools.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-9638
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Self-Efficacy and Sense of Belonging: A Comparative Analysis of Factors That Affect Differences in Participation in Information Technology Education by Gender.
- Creator
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Colson, Lenese Michelle, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Hu, Shouping, Kazmer, Michelle M., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and...
Show moreColson, Lenese Michelle, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Hu, Shouping, Kazmer, Michelle M., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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The recruitment and retention of women is a continuing problem in the Information Technology (IT) profession. Despite positive labor statistics for the IT field, American women are underrepresented. The belief that their skill sets are not as credible as their male counterparts keeps qualified women candidates from attaining key IT positions. There will be no growth in representation if women are not enrolling in the advanced degree programs necessary to end the cycle of underrepresentation....
Show moreThe recruitment and retention of women is a continuing problem in the Information Technology (IT) profession. Despite positive labor statistics for the IT field, American women are underrepresented. The belief that their skill sets are not as credible as their male counterparts keeps qualified women candidates from attaining key IT positions. There will be no growth in representation if women are not enrolling in the advanced degree programs necessary to end the cycle of underrepresentation. While there are a number of studies investigating the reasons for the underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines; there is not an abundance of research that considers the combined role that gender and self-efficacy play. The literature dealing with these issues in IT educational and the IT workforce separately is even more limited and particularly evident is the lack of research on the underrepresentation of women in IT. This dissertation research study explored the sense of inclusion and factors that affect differences in participation in Information Technology (IT) education by gender. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used, and it will involve collecting quantitative data via an online survey and then explaining the quantitative results with in-depth qualitative data with interviews.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SU_Colson_fsu_0071E_13354
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- The Socially Inclusive Role of Curatorial Voice: A Qualitative Comparative Study of the Use of Gatekeeping Mechanisms and the Co-creation of Identity in Museums.
- Creator
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Coleman, Laura-Edythe Sarver, Marty, Paul F., Koslow, Jennifer Lisa, Gross, Melissa, Kazmer, Michelle M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information,...
Show moreColeman, Laura-Edythe Sarver, Marty, Paul F., Koslow, Jennifer Lisa, Gross, Melissa, Kazmer, Michelle M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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Museums, and museum professionals, engage in a significant role within society. This dissertation is a qualitative exploratory study of the ways in which museum professionals promote or hinder the social inclusivity of museums through curatorial voice. Through a series of exhibit evaluations and intensive interviews, the researcher investigates the mechanisms used to craft curatorial voice within museums that handle contested subject material. This research seeks to broaden the understanding...
Show moreMuseums, and museum professionals, engage in a significant role within society. This dissertation is a qualitative exploratory study of the ways in which museum professionals promote or hinder the social inclusivity of museums through curatorial voice. Through a series of exhibit evaluations and intensive interviews, the researcher investigates the mechanisms used to craft curatorial voice within museums that handle contested subject material. This research seeks to broaden the understanding of curatorial voice, as viewed through the theoretical lenses of gatekeeper theory and co-creation of identity, with the explicit purpose of aiding in the development of professional guidance to help make museums more socially inclusive.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Coleman_fsu_0071E_13076
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Using Social Networks for Library Funding Advocacy: A Discourse Analysis of the Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries Facebook Campaign.
- Creator
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Spears, Laura Irene, Mon, Lorri M., McDowell, Stephen D., McClure, Charles R., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of...
Show moreSpears, Laura Irene, Mon, Lorri M., McDowell, Stephen D., McClure, Charles R., Mardis, Marcia A., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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In July 2013, the social media Facebook campaign, Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries (SMDPL) sought to influence the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners to reverse proposed budget cuts and maintain existing library funding levels. In this study, I examined the SMDPL campaign by conducting a discourse analysis of Facebook discussions that included posts, comments and any artifacts referenced such as other websites, mainstream media, public official memoranda and public...
Show moreIn July 2013, the social media Facebook campaign, Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries (SMDPL) sought to influence the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners to reverse proposed budget cuts and maintain existing library funding levels. In this study, I examined the SMDPL campaign by conducting a discourse analysis of Facebook discussions that included posts, comments and any artifacts referenced such as other websites, mainstream media, public official memoranda and public documents, among others. I examined the expressions of value and the policymaking process using Moore's Creating Public Value Theory. This study found that Creating Public Value offered an examination of public institutions as subsets of public sector governance. The study found that discourse is an element of the public value created that resulted in expression of public value outcomes and operational capacity for communities. However the study also found that public library advocates missed opportunities to demonstrate rather than assert, specific public library values. Information sharing using social network sites can be important sources of what a community values in their libraries and their public sector institutions. Future research could examine how these values influence the actions of public officials and the discourse can become a source of examining what all types of communities' value in libraries.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Spears_fsu_0071E_13171
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- What Factors Influence the Use of the Public Library for Health Information?.
- Creator
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Baeg, Jung Hoon, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Glueckauf, Robert L., Lustria, Mia Liza A., Oh, Sanghee, Florida State University, College of Communication and...
Show moreBaeg, Jung Hoon, Burnett, Kathleen M. (Kathleen Marie), Glueckauf, Robert L., Lustria, Mia Liza A., Oh, Sanghee, Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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The purpose of this study is to understand public library users' health information seeking behaviors and what factors may influence the intention of an individual to use the public library as their health information resource. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework, which provided essential motivation and behavior factors, including Attitude toward seeking health information at the public library (ATT), Subjective Norm (SN), and Perceived Behavior...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to understand public library users' health information seeking behaviors and what factors may influence the intention of an individual to use the public library as their health information resource. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as the theoretical framework, which provided essential motivation and behavior factors, including Attitude toward seeking health information at the public library (ATT), Subjective Norm (SN), and Perceived Behavior Control (PBC). This study expanded on TPB to add the perceptions of the quality of health information and an individual's health literacy level. These factors may indicate an individual's intention to use the public library as a primary health information source. In this study, five hypotheses were measured and analyzed. Attitude (H1), Subjective Norm (H2), Perceived Behavior Control (H3), Perception of health information quality (H4), and Health literacy (H5) will independently influence the behavior intention to use the public library for health information. After IRB approval, a pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability and validity of the survey questions. The survey consisted of three parts: (1) questions about public library users' behavior; (2) measurement of health information seeking behavior, questions related to the TPB variables and questions about the perception of the quality of health information, and health literacy; and (3) demographic information. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants at public libraries. Based upon a population and racial balance, residents of five counties in Florida were selected to participate in a print survey that was administered at public libraries. A total of 247 public library users participated in this study. There were 83 males (34%) and 164 females (66%). Participants' ages ranged from 18 to 82 years old with an average age of 42. The majority of participants were non-Hispanic White (n=117, 44%) and non-Hispanic Black (n=94, 35%). That reflects the racial composition of the five counties. Hispanic (n=13, 5%) and Asian (n=15, 6%) were followed. Structural Equation Modeling with Mplus (version 5) was used to analyze the five hypotheses. The construct and validation of the SEM model showed the adequacy of the model. Goodness-Fix-Index, such as Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Normed Fit Index (NFI) showed higher than .90. These GFI close to 1 indicated a good fit to the data. Badness-Fit-Index (BFI), such as Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA =.07), and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR= .04) indicate this instrument is a good fit. Overall two hypotheses were accepted. Subjective Norm (R2 = .39, p<.01) (H2) and Perceived Behavior Control (R2 = .43, p<.01 (H3) were supported. The Subjective Norm and Perceived Behavior Control influence the intention to use public library as individual's health information sources. This means an individual's family, friend, or co-worker may influence their intention and wiliness to use public library for their health information needs. Public library users also recognize that searching for health information is easy to do and they are confident about using health-related information services at the public library. Therefore, the public library may to promote their health information sources to the community more actively to introduce such resources. This outreach may increase the social aspect of health information at the public library. If more people believe the public library is a good place to seek health information, public library usage will grow.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Baeg_fsu_0071E_12987
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Wrong Planet, Right Library: College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Academic Library.
- Creator
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Anderson, Amelia Maclay, Everhart, Nancy, Cripe, Juliann J. Woods, Lustria, Mia Liza A., Kazmer, Michelle M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information,...
Show moreAnderson, Amelia Maclay, Everhart, Nancy, Cripe, Juliann J. Woods, Lustria, Mia Liza A., Kazmer, Michelle M., Florida State University, College of Communication and Information, School of Information
Show less - Abstract/Description
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has steadily increased in prevalence in recent years, with a current estimate of 1 in every 68 children eligible for such a diagnosis. Prevalence within the general population is reflected in the growing number of college and university students with ASD, with more students both registering for services than ever before – this does not include those who do not have a formal diagnosis or attempt to forge the academic journey without targeted support. College...
Show moreAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has steadily increased in prevalence in recent years, with a current estimate of 1 in every 68 children eligible for such a diagnosis. Prevalence within the general population is reflected in the growing number of college and university students with ASD, with more students both registering for services than ever before – this does not include those who do not have a formal diagnosis or attempt to forge the academic journey without targeted support. College attrition rates are higher for college students with ASD than for neurotypical college students due to lack of previously available supports, along with characteristics of this population including challenges during periods of transition and difficulty adapting to social and behavioral norms. Academic library usage correlates to college retention for college students as a whole; however, no studies have yet been done to explore how college students with ASD use their academic libraries and, in turn, how this might play a role in their ultimate college success. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of college students with ASD in academic libraries. It seeks to understand their questions and concerns, as well as their experiences in utilizing the library and library resources. We know that individuals with ASD use the library, but there is little firsthand evidence to describe their experiences and barriers they face in accessing library services. By addressing these concerns, campus libraries and librarians can ultimately help to support ASD student retention. This exploratory study used a qualitative content analysis design to collect discussion board posts to the online forum Wrong Planet (wrongplanet.net). Wrong Planet, a robust forum with more than 80,000 members, was designed by individuals with ASD for individuals with ASD. Collecting these discussion posts allowed for an unobtrusive research design in which accounts from college students with ASD could be gathered and presented in their true, unedited language as they conversed with their peers in an unmediated online environment. Collecting data from this online forum was particularly important; there is evidence to support the hypothesis that individuals with ASD thrive in communicating online, as it removes some of the social barriers of face-to-face communication. Using the social model of disability studies, this study allowed for voices of students with ASD to be presented in their own words, not as mediated by parents, caregivers, or the perceptions of faculty and staff of their lived experiences. The social model also provides the framework in that librarians and libraries should be the ones to adapt services – not students with ASD adapting to suit neurotypical-centric services. Coding and analysis was both inductive and deductive and based on the research questions, emerging themes, and concepts from the Theory of Information Worlds. Findings demonstrate that when students with ASD go to the library it is often for the same purposes as neurotypical students – to study. However, students with ASD especially describe using the library as an escape from sensory overload. This study's findings reveal many contradictions that call for further research in this area. Students with ASD use the library as an auditory escape, yet many still find the library to be too loud or chaotic to suit their needs. They use the library for solitary pursuits, and yet many Wrong Planet members describe a longing for interaction. Wrong Planet members even provide one another with advice about initiating relationships with other library users, both platonically and romantically. This work fills a gap within the literature, allowing college students with ASD the opportunity to describe their experiences in the academic library as never before. While there is a growing body of knowledge about children with ASD and the library, this is potentially the first glimpse into the experiences of college students in their academic libraries. This study has particularly important implications for the role of academic libraries in ASD college student retention. We know that there is a high rate of attrition for college students with ASD, and that academic library use correlates with college student retention. The findings from this study demonstrate that college students with ASD use the library for a variety of reasons, including for solitary study, as an escape from overwhelming sensory environments, and for pursuit of interests. Academic libraries can address these needs and uses, and adapt services and supports to better serve the needs of this growing student population, thus contributing to their ultimate college retention and success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- FSU_2016SP_Anderson_fsu_0071E_13037
- Format
- Thesis
