My PhD is currently in the empirical stage, where I am searching for participants and collecting data. Based on the findings from my literature review my research is taking two forms. One is a more traditional mixed methods approach where a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative interview are combined: tinyurl.com/culturepubliclibraries. The other is an art-based approach, which will result in an art exhibition showcasing the voices of refugees and asylum seekers. To learn more about the art exhibition work, feel free to visit: cultureandlibraries.weebly.com.
The poster included at the beginning of this post is a distilled version of my call for participants to complete the questionnaire (during which they can volunteer for a follow up interview), but there's some detail that can't be fit into a pretty poster. The questionnaire itself is available in nine languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Swahili, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. The questions themselves cover how participants used the public library (i.e., what resources, how often, and why) in their country of origin, how they use the public library in the UK, and cultural background. Most of the questions are quantitative (i.e., participants choose out of a set of options) but some allow participants to write out their thoughts. The data from the questionnaire will be used to find patterns in cultural background and how/why participants use the public library. Participants can also volunteer to take part in a follow up interview. Live interpretation will be available from qualified interpreters for participants who request an interpreter. The interview will be based on the data being returned from the questionnaire, and will gather qualitative data (i.e., participants' won't be given options to choose from, but will be asked to answer in their own words and may be asked additional questions). The questions of the interview will also include questions about how participants use the public library, in both their country of origin and the UK, and about their cultural background. The data from the interview will be analyzed for patterns and confirmed with participants where possible. This member validation will help make sure that the patterns researchers see match with the actual thoughts of participants. It is hoped that his research will provide a perspective that is not based on what libraries currently provide, but on what refugees and asylum seekers need libraries to provide. There can be a disconnect between what library staff think is needed and what is actually needed. Understanding the relationship between culture and use of the public library can help bridge the gap. Thank you to everyone who shares this call for participants with your network and signpost to the questionnaire.
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A Second Blog Page?This is the part of the blog specifically about my PhD. It will include updates, musings, and advice. Archives
August 2022
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