LIBR 285 Research Methods by Adrienne Mathewson

1. The Role of Librarians in Bridging
the Digital Divide in New Mexico
A LIBR 285 Presentation
By Adrienne A. Mathewson
©Adrienne Mathewson 2013

2. What is the Digital Divide?
The digital divide, which is often referred to in the context of social
exclusion/inclusion, is the gap between those who have Internet
access and those who do not have access.
Why is this an important issue?
Research studies indicate that the lack of access to the Internet
creates information poverty which results in an economic gap.
Why should librarians be concerned about the digital divide?
Equitable access to information is a critical part of the services
libraries provide to the general public.

3. The social exclusion caused by the digital divide is a complex issue
spanning deep-rooted political, economic and social issues. In order to
narrow down the topic, this research study focuses specifically on public
libraries in the State of New Mexico.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
How are public librarians in the State of New Mexico addressing their
perceived responsibility of providing the bridge over the digital divide to
their patrons?
What are the differences between librarians’ roles in rural vs. urban areas?
Another consideration:
In what ways do New Mexican librarians provide access to e-government
services?

4. LITERATURE REVIEW SUMMARY
• There is extensive research about the social exclusion created by the
digital divide globally.
• Very little research has been conducted addressing it in New Mexico
• Due to the lack of any type of extensive research in New Mexico, it
appears this area is an excellent opportunity to contribute original
research.
• As this issue is so complex, it needs to be researched at the
local level.
• Informal discussions with New Mexico librarians indicate this is
an area of interest for them.

5. • Primarily rural with a population of just over 2 million. There are 17
people per square mile compared to U.S. average of 87.4
• Over half the population lives within the Greater Albuquerque Metro
area.
• New Mexico has one of the highest percentage of Native Americans in
the United States, following Alaska and Oklahoma:
19 pueblos ►2 Apache Reservations
1/3 of the Navajo Reservation lies within its borders.
• There is a majority Hispanic population in New Mexico.
Less than 10% of the population is foreign-born as most Hispanics in New
Mexico are descendants of the original Spanish Land Grant founding
families and trace their heritage back to the 1500’s. Language barriers may
be an issue but not a primary one.
• Lack of critical infrastructure in rural areas.
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF NEW MEXICO

6. METHODOLOGY
Exploratory Research
• To determine whether this topic needs more study.
• Research results will be useful in identifying further research goals.
• Narrow down problematic areas
Study Population:
Public Library Directors in New Mexico
115 public libraries in the state
including 18 Tribal Libraries
Sampling Design:
None needed due to small amount of participants. Surveys will be sent
to all public libraries in the state.

7. Data Collection Instruments:
Mixed-methods:
Survey
1. Mailed via email utilizing the New Mexico State
Library’s contact list.
2. Questions will be open-ended
3. After 30 days, a follow-up survey will be sent to
non-respondents.
In-depth Interviews
1. Four library directors will be selected to participate in
in-depth interviews.
2. Interview questions will be based on coded responses
from survey.
3. One librarian from each of the following areas: Tribal,
Metro, rural and a mid-sized city in Southern NM.

8. Operational Definitions
Urban:
The Census Bureau identifies two types of urban areas:
Urbanized Areas (UAs) of 50,000 or more people;
Urban Clusters (UCs) of at least 2,500 and less than 50,000 people.
Rural:
"Rural" encompasses all population, housing, and territory not included
within an urban area.
This study will reference the actual Census Bureau maps for each area in
which a library is located to determine whether it is rural or urban.
*As classified by the U.S. Census Bureau

9. DATA ANALYSIS
• Survey responses will be open-coded
Identify key concepts
• Key concepts will be axial-coded
Identify core concepts
• Data will be distilled into a coherent, cohesive group of data
This distilled data will be analyzed to determine if or
what key issues should be researched further.
• A spreadsheet application will be used to hand-code the
responses.
• Interviews:
In-depth interview questions will be composed from the
analyzed survey data.
Interview questions will be hand-coded by the same method.

10. Ethical Concerns and Limitations of Research
This study is subject to IRB approval as it involves human subjects.
All efforts will be made to protect the respondents’ privacy.
Questions will be clear and short.
No
Double-barreled questions
Negative items
Biased terms
As the survey and interview questions are open-ended, avoidance of
researcher bias during the coding process will be kept at the forefront.

11. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESEARCH
• Little existing research in the State of New Mexico
• Indications are that due to its unique geography and cultural
aspects, the digital divide is large.
• This exploratory research is potentially useful in identifying
further research goals.
• Research must be broad-based in order to gather in enough
preliminary data.
• The digital divide contributes to social exclusion and is tied
into information poverty and economic poverty.
• In order for libraries to effectively address the issues arising
from the digital divide, research must first determine the
issues.

12. Conclusion
As research is scant in the State of New Mexico, this research project will
provide a basis for further research in the digital divide. Informal
conversations with NM librarians indicate there is definite interest in this
subject.
I believe this research project could be a significant project in order to
open up the doors to further research and, perhaps, create a dialogue in
which ways to assist the socially excluded enter into the digital age.
Thank you for listening to my presentation. I hope you can learned
something today.
-Adrienne A. Mathewson