Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services
A well-established postgraduate researcher development program has existed at De Montfort University for many years. Library and Learning Services include modules on literature searching skills and critical appraisal. However, we recognized that researchers seemed to be disengaged with the services...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
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Taylor & Francis
2016
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46929/ |
| _version_ | 1848797430129098752 |
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| author | Petch, Melanie Fraser, Katie Rush, Nathan Cope, Alan Lowe, Julie |
| author_facet | Petch, Melanie Fraser, Katie Rush, Nathan Cope, Alan Lowe, Julie |
| author_sort | Petch, Melanie |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | A well-established postgraduate researcher development program has existed at De Montfort University for many years. Library and Learning Services include modules on literature searching skills and critical appraisal. However, we recognized that researchers seemed to be disengaged with the services on offer. This concern informed a research project that considered the ways we could communicate better with researchers based on their needs. This paper explores the essential components of successful communication, such as context, timeliness and communication channels. An action-research approach was taken including focus groups and online surveys. The outcomes highlighted three significant crisis points, emphasizing the key times when researchers might need some intervention. The findings of this research identified the distinct needs of Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and how relevant and timely communication from the library can meet these needs. It also considers the impact of how communication has improved with researchers as a result of some of our interventions. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:03:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-46929 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:03:45Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-469292020-05-04T18:19:28Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46929/ Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services Petch, Melanie Fraser, Katie Rush, Nathan Cope, Alan Lowe, Julie A well-established postgraduate researcher development program has existed at De Montfort University for many years. Library and Learning Services include modules on literature searching skills and critical appraisal. However, we recognized that researchers seemed to be disengaged with the services on offer. This concern informed a research project that considered the ways we could communicate better with researchers based on their needs. This paper explores the essential components of successful communication, such as context, timeliness and communication channels. An action-research approach was taken including focus groups and online surveys. The outcomes highlighted three significant crisis points, emphasizing the key times when researchers might need some intervention. The findings of this research identified the distinct needs of Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and how relevant and timely communication from the library can meet these needs. It also considers the impact of how communication has improved with researchers as a result of some of our interventions. Taylor & Francis 2016-11-30 Article PeerReviewed Petch, Melanie, Fraser, Katie, Rush, Nathan, Cope, Alan and Lowe, Julie (2016) Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services. New Review of Academic Librarianship, 22 (2-3). pp. 268-281. ISSN 1740-7834 communication doctoral research academic libraries http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13614533.2016.1155999 doi:10.1080/13614533.2016.1155999 doi:10.1080/13614533.2016.1155999 |
| spellingShingle | communication doctoral research academic libraries Petch, Melanie Fraser, Katie Rush, Nathan Cope, Alan Lowe, Julie Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title | Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title_full | Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title_fullStr | Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title_short | Improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at De Montfort University Library and Learning Services |
| title_sort | improving communication between postgraduate researchers and the university library: a case study at de montfort university library and learning services |
| topic | communication doctoral research academic libraries |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46929/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46929/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/46929/ |