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Dear All, I am currently studying for a MA in Librarianship at the University of Sheffield and in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University Distance Learning Support Service I am conducting research into the provision of library support to distance learners at UK university libraries. In order to do so I am conducting a survey of librarians who are responsible for supporting distance learners. The questionnaire should take approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be accessed by clicking on the following link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dlorganisation If you feel there is a more appropriate person within you library to complete the questionnaire please forward it to them. You may request to be removed from the study at anytime, simply quote the unique identify code created at the start of the questionnaire, or if you have any questions by contacting me at [log in to unmask] . The results will be anonymous and kept confidential at all stages of the dissertation. A more detailed information sheet about the research has found below. Thank you for your participation Charlotte Brooke Information Sheet You are being invited to take part in the following research project: “An investigation into the provision of library support services for Distance Learners at UK universities: analysing current practice to inform future best practice at Sheffield Hallam University†. Before you decide it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. If there is anything which you are not clear about or if you would like more information please contact Charlotte Brooke ([log in to unmask]) or her supervisor Pam McKinney [log in to unmask] Take time to decide whether or not you wish to take part. Thank you for reading this. What is the project’s purpose? The project is part of a dissertation for MA in Librarianship lasting until the 1st September 2011. The results of the research will also be used to help inform the Distance learning support service at Sheffield Hallam University about current best practice across UK university libraries. The information gathered from the questionnaire hopes to establish what the current best practice across UK university library in supporting distance learner is. Why have I been chosen? You have been chosen to participate because you have been identified, or identified yourself, as a member of library staff responsible for support distance learners at your university. Do I have to take part? It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part you will can print a copy of this information sheet to keep. By deciding to complete the questionnaire you will have been deemed to have agreed to participate in the research. However you can still withdraw at any time without having to give a reason. If you do wish to withdraw please email [log in to unmask] as soon as possible including the unique identifier you will have been asked to create at the start of the questionnaire. What do I have to do? All you will have to do is answer all the questions in the survey that should take approximately 20 minutes. What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part? The researcher does not anticipate any disadvantages or risks of taking part. However should any arise please inform me of this as soon as possible so that changes can be made. What are the possible benefits of taking part? Whilst there are no immediate benefits for those people participating in the project, it is hoped that this work will help to inform best practise for all university libraries in terms of how to support distance learners in the future. What happens if the research study stops earlier than expected? If for any reason the research study stops earlier than expected participant will be given a full explanation. What if something goes wrong? If you are unhappy about any aspect of participating in the research study please contact the researcher’s supervisor, Pam McKinney on [log in to unmask] . However, should you feel that your complaint has not been handled to your satisfaction or if you have any other concerns with the study and the data collection exercise then please contact the Head of the ischool: Philippa Levy :[log in to unmask] or the University’s Registrar and Secretary: http://www.shef.ac.uk/registrar/,[log in to unmask] Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential? All the information that is collect about you during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. You will not be able to be identified in either the final dissertation report, any information given to Sheffield Hallam University or any other subsequent publication. What will happen to the results of the research project? Should the dissertation receive a mark of over 60, the results of the research will be published on the University of Sheffield’s iSchool online research publication database, as well as being available in print from the iSchool reception. A copy of the dissertation will also be given to the Distance Learner Support Service at Sheffield Hallam University Library. At no time will you be identified in any report or publication relating to this research study. Who is organising and funding the research? The completion of a research study is a required component of the MA in Librarianship and the specific area of research was requested by the Distance Learning Support Service at Sheffield Hallam University library. Who has ethically reviewed the project? This project has been ethically approved via the iSchool’s ethics review procedure. The University of Sheffield’s Research Ethics Committee monitors the application and delivery of the Ethics Review Procedure across the University. Contact for further information For further information please contact the researcher’s supervisor: Pamela McKinney Lecturer (part time) Information School University of Sheffield Regent Court 211 Portobello Street S1 4DP Tel. : 0114 2222650 Email: [log in to unmask] Thank you for participating in the research project Charlotte Brooke