Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
Assessment of how library patrons use space and the evaluation of their needs has become a “hot” topic in library research. But determining the best way to obtain information about their activity can be a challenge. Two types of data collection are quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data provides a numerical count of what activities students perform within the library and therefore can be measured. Qualitative data gives personal opinions, feedback and individual perspectives regarding a topic but is not measurable. In this study, we were interested to learn if we would get substantially different results from a user observation study, a quantitative method, than from the results of asking users about their library space needs, a qualitative method. Essentially, would the results from both methods provide complementary results enabling us to obtain a comprehensive picture about our patrons’ needs and redesign the space to improve their library experience?
Published In
Montgomery, S. (2011). "Quantitative vs. qualitative – do different research methods give us consistent information?" Library and Information Research, 35(111), 73-86.
Publication Title
Library and Information Research
ISSN
1756-1086
Comments
This paper was originally published in Library and Information Research. The original version can be found at http://www.lirgjournal.org.uk/lir/ojs/index.php/lir/article/view/482