Researching M-Libraries

As developing M-libraries services is a fairly new idea, researching how effective they are or what users want from them is even newer.

This page is a space to discuss research methods and examples of research into m-library services in order to share practice and support one another in this burgeoning area.

The ideas below were generated by participants in a workshop on Researching M-Libraries held at the Second International M-Libraries conference.

Research Methods

• Action research evolves as practice happens; responds to real time and life occurrences
• Sponsored use programmes offer low cost access to equipment but what of vested interests?
• Case studies - highly individual. Of limited value beyond the contexts that generate them?
• Video/audio diaries exploit affordances of the mobile tools but can simply become performances?

See posters on Qualitative and Quantitative research methods developed by Anne Hewling.

Alternatives

• Involve participants in the design of the research & road-testing
• Analysis of existing data (e.g. search logs; equipment ownership statistics)
• Surveys – online/print/voice - must be clearly worded and take account of local language and culture
• Equipment/user tracking

Possible Issues

Please add tips from your own experience

Reasons to be cheerful

• Sample population could also be used to comment on behaviours of non-users (their peers)
• Paper form used outside coffee shop (Tim Hortons) with incentive of $1 gift certificate resulted in a good –sized sample of a mix of people. Anecdotally seemed to be more successful than a draw for an iPod.

Things to be aware of

• Value of researching information-seeking habits (what do we really learn?)
• Speed of change
• Have we defined mobile? What is mobile device?
• Privacy issues

Example Projects

These were generated by workshop participants at the Second International M-Libraries Conference. Please add your own examples to help others learn when particular methods are appropriate.

Problems and prospects of m-libraries development in Bangladesh

• Joint research project between developing country and Bangladesh.
• Could outsource the development of the survey.
• Sample mobile users what they thing of possible services – examples, government services notices, weather notification for fishermen
• Survey would need to be voice and in local language.

How to deliver surveys as Users' Interest Surveys

• What devices users have and want
• Using IT dept and registrations data for campus no.s of laptops
• Health sector – intranet not internet. Have need to make own versions of Google Analytics.
• Privacy issues - collect but don’t look at.
• What actually produces changes in behaviour & does it improve learner care?
• Issue – speed of change

Example posters of search – what do folks look for?

• Analysis of search logs.
• Top 1000 search terms
• Mobile user vs. users – differences, overlap
• Mobile delivery (endpoint) vs. mobile discovery (tool)