College of Arts Researchers and the Library

Abstract

The University of Canterbury Library study on researchers in the College of Arts (The UC Study) is modelled on the 2006 University of Minnesota Libraries' Multi-Dimensional Framework for Academic Support (The Minnesota Study). The aim was to gain a better understanding of the current information research needs of academic staff and doctoral students in the College of Arts at the University of Canterbury. The UC Study was also an opportunity to develop library staff research skills, to grow our confidence in supporting researchers and our credibility as partners in research activities. The Library is particularly interested in the research practices in the College of Arts as this was the group most vocally opposed to and perhaps most impacted by the relegation of physical book collections.

The UC Study used a mixed methods approach to explore the information research needs and strategies of academic staff and doctoral students. The qualitative component included three focus groups with seventeen doctoral students and eleven semi-structured interviews with individual academic staff. Data was also analysed from the 2018 lthaka S+R Faculty Survey.