Are you involved / interested in reader development?

If so, please take the time to complete the attached questionnaire.

The School of Information Studies at the University of Central England, in
the UK, are working to develop a distance learning master's level course in
reader development. In order to develop the most appropriate course for
all LIS professionals, I have attached a questionnaire which explores some
of the issues surrounding the development of such a course. I would be
extremely grateful if you would take the time to complete the questionnaire
and return it to me as soon as possible at the following address:

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(Responses can be entered onto the form by either typing on it as a reply
or by copying and pasting it into a new message)


All responses will be treated confidentially


   Reader Development Master's Questionnaire

   The School of Information Studies at the University of Central England
is currently developing a distance learning masters level course in
reader development. It is anticipated that the course will have a
start date of September 2001. It is intended that the course
will be delivered via distance learning and provide students
with the opportunity to study individual modules at their own pace. It is
also intended that individual modules can be studied as part of continuing
        professional development. In order that the course is tailored to
potential markets and to anticipate the demand for such a course, the
following questionnaire has been produced and sent out to library and
information staff. We value your views and would be most
grateful if you could take the time to complete this short
questionnaire and return it as soon as possible to the address below.

   A. Potential students' perspective

   1. Would you be interested in undertaking such a course?
             (please put an X in the appropriate brackets)

     Yes ( ) No ( )

   1a.(please provide reasons for your answer below)





   2. Do you think any of your colleagues would be interested in
undertaking such a course?

     Yes ( ) No ( ) Don't know ( )

   3. Would you be interested in studying an individual module(s)?

                 Yes ( ) No ( )

   3.a. Please provide your reasons below - e.g. personal interest /
professional development




   4. In what ways do you think such a course would be of benefit to you?
(e.g. professional development / skills relevant to work / academic
attainment / personal interest)




   5. Would you prefer the qualification awarded to be an MA or MSc?

          MA ( ) MSc. ( ) No preference ( )


   6. Which topics would you like such a course to cover? (for example,
it is anticipated that there will be modules on promotion and
marketing, the cultural context of reading, developing
children as readers, adults and reader development, ICT in reader
development and special needs)



   7. What would be your ideal time of the year to begin studying on such
a course? (please provide reasons).



   8. Although the course is distance learning, would you like the course
to include some attended study days at UCE?

     Yes ( ) No ( )

   8a. How often would you be able to attend study days?
        (please provide your answer below)




   8b. When would you be able to attend study days?
        (please provide your answer below)



   8c. Have you any other comments concerning attendance on study days?
        (please provide your answer below)




   9. It is initially anticipated that the course will be delivered using
             print-based resources. Please indicate, if you would like to
see any of the following made available:
        Please place a X in the appropriate bracket(s)

     electronic versions of course materials ( )
     additional resources to support study available electronically ( )
     wholly electronic delivery of the course ( )
        other (please specify below)



  9a. Please indicate whether you have access to any of the following for
  study purposes.

  Personal computer ( ) CD ROM drive ( ) Internet ( ) email ( )

   9b. Would materials delivered in electronic form be appropriate for
you? (Please indicate your answer below)




   10. What type of personal contact would you expect with your personal
tutor and colleagues? (Please place an X in brackets next to
appropriate response)

  mail ( ) on campus discussion groups ( )
  telephone ( ) online discussion forums ( )
  visits to UCE ( ) email ( )
  other (please specify below)


   11. Please indicate what you would be prepared to pay for such a
course. (The figures in bold are for individual modules. The figures in
brackets are the cost of the entire post graduate course with modules of
that price). The denomination is UK pounds.

  120 (1,080)...( ) 250 (2,250)...( )
  150 (1,350)...( ) 300 (2,700)...( )
  175 (1,575)...( ) 301 (2,709+)...( )
  200 (1,800)...( )

   12. How would you envisage funding your attendance on such a course?

  self funding ...........................( )
  employer funded ...........................( )
  combination of self and employer ............( )
  other (please specify below)



   13. Would your employer provide other support for your study, for
example, time to study or other resources? (Please state the type of
support below and indicate how likely you would be to receive this)



   14. Please indicate whether you would prefer the course to be delivered
via distance learning or by attendance, either during the day or at
twilight times (i.e. between 5pm and 8pm). Please place an X in the
appropriate brackets.

     Distance learning ( ) Daytime ( ) Twilight ( ) No preference
( )

   14a. Please provide reasons for your answer below





   B. Employers' perspective

        Please also answer the following two questions if you are involved
in employing staff.

   15. Does your organisation provide any type of support for staff to
study, for example, time, resources, costs?
        (please state the nature of the support below)




   16. Do you think there would be value in sending employees on such a
course?

  Yes ( ) No ( )

  16a. Please provide your reasons below




   C. Other Comments

   17. If you have any other comments which you wish to make please
include them below.






Please return the completed questionnaire to:

                          [log in to unmask]

(Briony Train, Centre for Information Research, School of Information
Studies, Faculty of Computing, Information and English, University of
Central England, Perry Barr, Birmingham, B42 2SU)


                     Thank you very much for your time



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