This document summarizes a research proposal that aims to study the information seeking preferences of 5th grade students. Specifically, it seeks to understand who students turn to for help, why they prefer certain sources over others, and the general characteristics of their information seeking behavior. The methodology will involve qualitative interviews with 5th grade students. Adjustments to the research plan are noted, including adding questions about preferences and using multiple data collection methods. The discussion questions posed focus on the best use of a librarian's time to teach information literacy and how to make librarians more visible to students.

1. Who Do They Turn To? Information Seeking Preferences of 5th Grade StudentsResearch ProposalApril 17, 2010Jenny LinnLIS 7920

2. Who do students turn to when they are seeking information.TeachersPeersParents?Others??Librarian!

3. Why do students turn to particular individuals?ConvenienceComfort levelQuality of answersQuality of assistance

4. General Characteristics of Student Information Seeking BehaviorFill in the blank mentalityFocus on “amount” of informationSeek most convenient sourcesCopy rather then understand informationLack of knowledge tends to affect searchingCommon Thread in studies “Path of least resistance”

5. Human sources of informationAgosto and Hughes-Hassell studyA majority of participants preferred human sources in their everyday information seeking.FriendsFamilySchool Employees

6. Crow’s studyIntrinsically motivated studentsApproach information seeking differentlyLook for challengesView learning and discovering as an enjoyable endeavorWillingly follow where the search leads

7. MethodologyQualitative Methods ApproachOne on one semi structured interviews20-30 minutes in length5 prepared guiding questionSubjects were 3 - 5th grade students2 female 1 male2 students 1 neighbor

8. Adjustments – mid researchInterviewed two studentsResearch ProjectRole of studentSimilar responsesInterviewed a neighborUsed examples outside of the school setting

9. CodingMy coding focused on words and/or phrases that indicated the following:Resources: human and non humanFeelingsPreferencesRoles of human resources

10. Broad Code Definitions

11. Who do Students most often ask for help?HierarchyAt schoolClassmate before teacher“If I need a little bit of information I ask a friend, if I need more then I ask the teacher.”No mention of School LibrarianAt HomeCertain family members preferred based on subject“Dad is a computer type thing so he helps a lot with Math.”

12. Why do students turn to particular individuals? ConvenienceAsk closest personComfort LevelMore comfortable asking classmate then teacher?Quality of informationStudents did consider this.

13. My thoughtsFocus more on the “Why” next time. Would address students preferences2 research questions did not get addressedI failed to ask the questions in the interviewImportant research Understudied groupUseful information for programming decisions

14. Adjustments for Full StudyAdd questions about preferenceUse three data collections methodsQuestionnaireSmall group discussionsOne on one interviewsUse recording devicesConsider timing of researchConsider using more than one school

15. Discussion QuestionsBased on what you have heard AND what you already knew What is the best use of a librarians time and resources when it comes to teaching information literacy skills? Parents, students Teachers?Librarians were rarely mentioned by the students interviewed. What can we do to make librarians more visible to students?