Researching M-Libraries
From Library Success: A Best Practices Wiki
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.
Attached are posters created for a workshop on Researching M-Libraries held at the Second International M-Libraries conference. The posters include outcomes from the workshop, as written by participants.
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?
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
