Hi everyone.
I am a postgraduate student at the University of Sheffield, studying for my Masters degree in Librarianship. I am currently undertaking a dissertation on how libraries can use the LibraryThing website for promotional and user engagement purposes. I am looking at the reasons why libraries choose to use LibraryThing, how they currently use it and the thoughts of information professionals on the benefits and drawbacks of using LibraryThing generally, as well as using it for promotional and user engagement purposes. I have already contacted many libraries directly. If I have contacted your library, you can ignore this message.
I am looking specifically at information professional’s views on using the LibraryThing website as an organisation, rather than a library’s use of LibraryThing for Libraries or a librarian’s view on using LibraryThing for personal reasons. Therefore, the questionnaire needs only to be completed by information professionals who work in libraries which have an account on LibraryThing and who update or interact with that account.
There are 12 questions and the questionnaire should take 5-10 minutes to complete. The data provided will be used in my dissertation report but it will be anonymous and will be destroyed once the project has been completed.
The University of Sheffield’s Information School Ethics Committee, in line with the University’s ethics policy, has ethically approved this project. It is being conducted by myself, Anna Richards, under the supervision of Ms. Barbara Sen, who can be contacted on [log in to unmask] if you wish. You may also contact me on [log in to unmask] if you would like more information or leave a message on this thread.
If you would like to take part please click on the link below which will take you to the questionnaire. I have also copied in my Participant Information Sheet below, if you would like more information.
https://docs.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/spreadsheet/viewform?pli=1&formkey=dDRScVVXUDNRdUtRdWlYMnJPWFh0clE6MQ#gid=0
Thank you for your help,
Anna Richards
Participant information sheet
Project title: An investigation of the viability of LibraryThing for promotional and user engagement purposes in libraries.
Invitation paragraph
You are being asked to participate in a research project for a Masters dissertation in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield. Please read the following information thoroughly before you decide whether or not to take part. I welcome any questions that you have about the project and your involvement in it.
What is the project’s purpose?
The aim of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of the LibraryThing website for promotional and user engagement purposes for libraries. As there are many web 2.0 applications which could be used by libraries it is necessary to evaluate the true usefulness of these applications before implementing them. Thus this project will study how LibraryThing could be used by libraries as well as how libraries are currently using LibraryThing and will use this data to evaluate its overall usefulness for libraries. The project will be running for approximately 3 months. It is hoped that by conducting this research best practice in regards to libraries using LibraryThing will be identified.
Why have I been chosen?
You have been chosen because you have a publicly viewable profile on LibraryThing which identifies you as a library.
Do I have to take part?
Participating in this project is voluntary and there will be no penalties if you decide not to take part. You are free to withdraw from the project at any time, without giving any reason. If you decide to participate you will be asked to sign a consent form or, in the case of the online questionnaire, tick a box signalling your consent. You are welcome to keep this information sheet to consult at a later date if you wish.
What will happen to me if I take part?
The questionnaire should take about 15 minutes to complete. You are being asked to complete a questionnaire on your use of LibraryThing and your thoughts about its usefulness to you as an organisation. It will include a mixture of closed and more open questions where you can expand on your thoughts about a particular topic.
The interview should last no more than an hour. You will be asked about your use of LibraryThing and your thoughts about its usefulness to you as an organisation. The interview style will be semi-structured so that you can expand on any topic that you wish. It will be recorded and transcribed.
What do I have to do?
All I ask is that you provide honest and frank answers to the questions; you will not be judged on anything you say.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
There is little potential for physical and/or psychological harm to participants in this study. You are free to withdraw from the study or to decline to provide any information that you are uncomfortable providing.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Whilst there are no foreseen individual benefits to taking part in this study it is hoped that this study, by highlighting examples of best practice and evaluating the true value of LibraryThing for libraries, will provide guidance for libraries using or wishing to use LibraryThing.
What happens if the research study stops earlier than expected?
If the study stops earlier than expected any participants who have expressed an interest in the results of the study will be notified and all data collected will be managed according to the University of Sheffield’s ethics policy.
What if something goes wrong?
If you have any concerns about the project or about the investigator please contact Ms Barbara Sen on [log in to unmask] If you feel that your complaint has still not been handled to your satisfaction please contact the University’s Registrar and Secretary.
Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential?
Any information that you provide and that I collect will be kept strictly confidential. All data will be anonymised so you will not be identifiable in the report.
What type of information will be sought from me and why is the collection of this information relevant for achieving the research project’s objectives?
The information sought from you is about your (as a librarian) use of, experience with and opinion of using the LibraryThing website for promotional and user engagement purposes in libraries. Gaining information about how LibraryThing can and is being used by libraries, and the candid opinion of librarians who use it professionally, is necessary to thoroughly evaluate the service’s value to libraries.
What will happen to the results of the research project?
The results of the research will be written up as a Masters dissertation for the University of Sheffield. If you would like to know the results once the project has been completed please indicate this to the researcher.
Who is organising and funding the research?
This research is organised by the Information School of the University of Sheffield.
Who are ethically reviewed the project?
This project has been ethically approved by the Information School of the University of Sheffield in line with University policy.
Contact information
If you would like to know any further information please contact Anna Richards on [log in to unmask], 07552793040 or Ms Barbara Sen on [log in to unmask]
Thank you for taking part in my research.
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