During January 2020, the Information Needs Assessment team virtually conducted two of the methods (interviews and photo essay) in our toolkit. A total of 5 students participated in the study. You can view the report from that visit here:
Students highly enjoyed spending time in nature when not studying and mentioned specific spots that were their favorite places to be, including the labyrinth on the AMBS campus.
Almost all of the students we talked to spent most of their study time at home. One participant, when asked where they did most of their studying, replied: “At home. I've never thought about going somewhere else!”.
Most students mentioned families in some way, especially how they work their studies around the distractions of family life. However, some find their significant others / siblings / parents helpful when studying.
None of the distance students studied at libraries. Two students specifically mentioned their local public library, but also that they never studied there. They all loved libraries but didn’t study there.
Of the eight students who expressed interest in the study and signed our digital informed consent form, three of them did not show up for their interview times and never participated in the study, while two others required a phone call to facilitate their inclusion in the study.
Textbook purchasing was high as students intend on using these books for their career. Similar to an independent contractor, ministers have their own library that travels with them, as opposed to doctors or lawyers who have their own library in the hospital and/or access to Lexis.
The library and library staff were highly spoken of as assets in research and studying. Professors recommended them to students who weren’t making good use of them.
In general, students preferred solitary study locations.
