Database Training (Olean Public Library)
(Example illustrating Measurements)
This was and individual library project to provide database
training. This is an excellent open-ended survey for patrons. The predictions
were that following training the patrons would actually use the training
for personal, educational, and health reasons. The open-ended survey
finds out in the patron’s own words how their searching was useful
to them.
The checklist that follows is an internal measurement instrument
enabling project personnel to easily tally the actual uses and to record
untended uses (not predicted but valid uses). The prediction was also
that patrons would perform searches at least at the Level 2 of searching
skills. The rubric is an internal instrument for easy tally of search
levels of patron success with searching.
Patron Survey—Database use
Please answer the following questions as completely as possible. All
information is used to evaluate current programs and to secure future funding
of similar programs. All personal information remains private.
How did you find out about database searching?
If someone told you about it, who?
Have you done one or more database searches on your own since the librarian
showed you how?
If so did you do it in the library or elsewhere?
What information were you looking for?
What did you find?
How and where did you search?
How long did your search take?
How did you use the information you found?
Was the information you found accurate?
If no, how did you determine that?
On a scale of 0 to 5 (5 being most comfortable) how would you rate your comfort
level using databases?
Will you continue to use databases to find information?
Have you suggested to someone else that they use databases to find information?
If so, what type of information was that person seeking?
Check list of database use to be charted:
Personal uses: |
Educational uses |
Health |
How to
Genealogy
Current events
Politics/elections
Taxes
Housing
Retirement
Readers advisory
Money Management
Unintended Results |
Assignments
How to
Recommending reading
Job applications/resumes
Job enhancement
Career Choices
Continuing education choices/applications |
Diseases
Treatments
Drugs
Health care professionals
Insurance |
Unintended Personal Uses |
Unintended Educational Uses |
Unintended Health Uses |
Rubric for checklist of database use:
|
Level One |
Level Two |
Level Three |
Personal |
Simple one answer to a single question |
Use of 2 or more databases types
Questions moderately complex
Multiple uses
|
Uses databases routinely
Questions complex
Searches for multiple answers to questions
|
Educational |
Single use for one purpose |
Uses regularly to meet educational goals
Uses more than one database
Uses for multiple purposes |
Uses to develop expertise in one or more
areas
Does long term research |
Health |
Seeks immediate direct answerer to one time
question |
Consults database regularly often for similar
information
Consults multiple databases for a variety of simple questions |
In depth research on a specific topic
Researches multiple areas of a questions
Seeks a variety of opinions |
|
