Research Support at the University of Bradford Library: Investigating the Needs of Researchers

3 May 2023 Anne Costigan - Investigating researchers needs

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Research support at the University of Bradford Library:

Investigating the needs of researchers

Anne CostiganUniversity of Bradford Library


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Research Support Librarian• Appointed to complement University initiative to

improve services to researchers– Part time alongside other responsibilities– Still doing all of the old job as well until March this year

• Remit– Improvement of services to PGR– Number of services to researchers already running– Wanted to investigate what researchers did and what they

needed


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Final title of investigation• Investigating the needs and experiences of

researchers at Bradford University Library


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Research Support services in place• Subject librarian support• Programme of 2-hour workshops• Bite size workshops• Weekly visit to PGR Lounge• Web page• http://www.brad.ac.uk/library/services/researchers/ • New Research Support Librarian post

http://www.brad.ac.uk/library/services/researchers/

http://www.brad.ac.uk/library/services/researchers/


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Project• March – Kirsty Carver, team colleague, spotted

Summer Experience intern advertisement• April – placement brief advertised

– Initial plan was for intern to conduct two pieces of research– Job specification included experience of research methods– Second project dropped

• June – interviews and appointment• Appointed Somaya Mahmoud, just completed Year 2

Psychology


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Summer Experience• New University of Bradford initiative to provide work

experience for undergraduates• Up to 6 weeks cofunded by Summer Experience and

employer


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Timescale• 6 weeks

– Mid June – end July• Week 1 – plan• Week 2

– Pilot and launch questionnaire– Conduct focus group

• Week 3– Promote questionnaire– Transcribe focus group

• Weeks 4-5– Analyze results

• Week 6– Produce report

• Really tight timetable!


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Questionnaire• Used Bristol Online Surveys (because I have used it

previously)– onlinesurveys.ac.uk– University subscribes

• 105 responses (from 1361 research students and staff)– Happy with the response rate, given that we ran it for less

than 2 weeks in middle of summer• Responses by type of researcher

– 40% academic staff– 48% research students

• Raffle for £50 Amazon voucher


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Focus groups• 11 attendees in 2 groups• Conducted by Somaya

– Somaya’s experience of ethics of consent etc very valuable here

• £10 Amazon voucher for all who attended


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Library• Strong support for subject librarian

– 90% aware• Library used

– 91% visited the Library at least once a month– 81% borrowed a book at least once a month


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Space• Researchers appreciated the silent space within the

Library but expressed a wish for a dedicated space


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Dedicated space for researchers• 68% would like a dedicated study space for

researchers with the Library• 61% of those who want the space would prefer it to

be silent• Also requested: computers, printer, drinks machine


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Library training• 70% aware of workshops• 44% attended some • Workshop programme only 2 years old


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eresources• 98% of respondents used Library ejournals• 96% used Library Website• 85% used Library ebooks• Do you feel you have access to all the resources you

need?– Only 60% said yes

• But…. When we asked what resources they needed that we do not have access to…– Most of those mentioned resources we already have!– More education needed


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Databases• Specific question: When you start a literature review

on a new topic, which would you use first?– 28% said Library catalogue or Summon– 25% said Databases– But 31% said Google Scholar– More education needed


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Research data• Small numbers identify as using university servers• But this is probably due to wording of question• Even so increased publicity about university facilities

required


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Open access• 55% aware of the concept of Open Access• 40% aware of the new HEFCE requirements• Focus group

– Fears of cost, low quality journals– Negative attitude generally

• Campaign of publications workshops now in progress


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Reference management software• University provides and supports EndNote• Only 60% claim to use reference management

software• Of those, 81% use EndNote desktop or Web• 15% use Mendeley

– Do we need to increase support?


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Surprises• 30% Mac users• Do you have constraints on your time because of

caring responsibilities?– Yes 61%

• Both surprisingly high


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Lessons conducting the study• Student interns are great!• You need more time….• Don’t try to do too much!

– We thought we could do two studies. We must have been mad!

• Offer a prize– Generated queries

• Bristol Online Surveys– Somaya found it very easy to set up and use– Provides simple analyses of results


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Next steps• Using SPSS to analyse by multiple criteria

– Analyse answers by department and type of researcher• Open access publications workshop programme

underway• Research data initiative under way• Eresources publicity intiatives have taken place,

support initiatives in preparation• Dedicated space for researchers under investigation


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A final question• We found the experience very worthwhile• Question of needs that they do not acknowledge –

copyright information for instance• How do you explore those? All suggestions welcome!

Education

Research Support at the University of Bradford Library: Investigating the Needs of Researchers