Investigation of Undergraduate Student Research: Developing a Best Practice Plan for IU East with Assessments
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Presenter : Sue McFadden, M.L.S.
Abstract
The beginning of the commercial Internet in 1994 changed the world. The impact on libraries was tremendous, changing tools, usage, and how librarians interact with the students and individuals they serve. However, the changes preceded the understanding of the actual impacts to knowledge preservation, management & access, opportunities, and relevance of libraries. Student research, rooted in knowledge preservation and sharing, is an intellectual, scholarly curiosity for librarians. One goal for the project is to focus on the issues of student research to provide support for Indiana University East planning. What are the opportunities of students at IU East in research, scholarly projects, and creative works? Can the opportunities be expanded, widely promoted, more inclusive, better supported, and better shared? How much can we learn from other institutions? How can a librarian and an academic library support the big picture of Student Research? These ideas restate McFadden’s sabbatical theme. The COVID19 Pandemic interrupted planning and projects for the sabbatical. The revised project is a culmination of learning, broadened understanding, experiences with outside libraries, taking risks, asking questions, listening, and observing.
Biographical Statement
Sue McFadden, MLS, is Associate Librarian for Research & Coordinator for IUScholarWorks at Indiana University East. Her previous responsibilities included: Emerging Technology, E-Resources, Library Co-Director, and Instruction and Public Services. Since 2014, she has developed, managed, and edited the Journal of Student Research at Indiana University East (JSRIUE).
As an early adopter of technology in libraries, in 1996, McFadden helped develop the initial library instructional-computer lab to support library instruction and e-access. Students’ access to research and information are core ideals in McFadden’s career. She facilitated the Indiana University East Campus Library’s early transition to e-resources using usage/access patterns, and budgets that required a move to all e-access journals. This provides more access to journal titles and full-text articles, for more disciplines. The new access required management and discovery of tools. In 2007, McFadden and her colleagues provided the initial use of linking, full-text and citations, from various databases into one search (360) tool, providing searching for over 270 databases. McFadden began reviewing, testing, and advocating for a new instructional tool called LibGuides, and the library contracted services for LibGuides’/SpringShare in 2010. Her work provided the initial layouts, best practices, training, promotion, links, access to journals, and instructional guides to support student research and literature review. Many of the initial projects are still in use today, with these investments providing exceptional access and discoverability. McFadden’s latest work is promoting, sharing, and advocating for outstanding student research.