University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Understanding Students Use of Technology and Space in Milner Library: An Investigation of Study Habits and Library Use

More, Torii; Zwanzig, Colleen; Ruona, Rachel; Stomberg, Jim; Borkgren, Aaron

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16416

Description

Title
Understanding Students Use of Technology and Space in Milner Library: An Investigation of Study Habits and Library Use
Author(s)
More, Torii; Zwanzig, Colleen; Ruona, Rachel; Stomberg, Jim; Borkgren, Aaron
Issue Date
2009
Keyword(s)
  • Milner Library
  • study space
  • library usage
  • academic library
  • ANT 285
  • fall 2009
Abstract
The purpose of our study is to see how Illinois State students use spaces to study and investigate how technology has affected the use of those study spaces. We will be doing this via participant observations of Milner Library, by conducting interviews with Illinois State students as well as Milner Library staff, and giving out questionnaires at Milner Library and other public study spaces. This study is useful to Milner Library because they will be able to better serve students based on how other study spaces, as well as Milner Library, are used.
Series/Report Name or Number
The objective of this course is to provide students with hands-on training in ethnographic methods and writing and to help students become critical readers of ethnographic research. Instead of attempting to present a whole smorgasbord of research methods or to survey the vast literature on ethnographic fieldwork, we focus on a small selection of techniques that are central to much anthropological fieldwork (field note taking, participant observation, interviewing, mapping) and that are most useful and relevant for students' semester projects. Other techniques and issues are discussed and incorporated as they emerge from students' own research inquiries. Students will not conduct a full-blown research project but instead will get “a taste” of ethnographic research through a series of ethnographic exercises and students' own mini-project. At the end of the semester, students write an ethnographic research report based on their findings and reflections on the research process. This course is affiliated with the EUI and, as a part of this initiative, students are asked to try their hand at ethnographic research about their own institution, Illinois State University.
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16416

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