This thesis reports a research work whose objective was to derive a grounded model of the user education domain, which was identified as pertaining to subject librarians' expertise, using a knowledge elicitation approach in the field of agricultural sciences. The knowledge elicitation framework adopted was that which sees knowledge acquisition as a process of modelling expertise, and the models derived as qualitative in nature. Accordingly, the main methodological approach involved was based on qualitative research and use of grounded theory methods. The research design was divided into three studies, all based on interview data. The research started by studying the role of subject librarians in academic libraries in the UK (Study One), which identified the area of user education for further study. Study Two proceeded to elicit information seeking practices and user education processes from academics and librarians. Finally, Study Three elicited information seeking practices of students who were engaged in library research. A model of the user education domain in the field of agricultural sciences in a Brazilian university was derived from the combination of the analysis of Study Two and Three. The model describes the library research process of individuals as happening in discipline specific contexts, influenced by the world at large. The process takes place through a series of information-seeking tasks and task-related strategies, which are employed to search external knowledge sources and satisfy an information need. During this interaction, internal knowledge sources are used and modified according to the tasks and strategies being carried out. If these internal knowledge sources are deficient for effective use of external knowledge sources, mediation strategies by an expert can help readjust the information-seeking process and alter the state of related internal knowledge sources The model proposed is used to derive recommendations for the design of user education programmes, subject librarians' work, and domain modelling using grounded theory.

This thesis reports a research work whose objective was to derive a grounded model of the user education domain, which was identified as pertaining to subject librarians' expertise, using a knowledge elicitation approach in the field of agricultural sciences. The knowledge elicitation framework adopted was that which sees knowledge acquisition as a process of modelling expertise, and the models derived as qualitative in nature. Accordingly, the main methodological approach involved was based on qualitative research and use of grounded theory methods. The research design was divided into three studies, all based on interview data. The research started by studying the role of subject librarians in academic libraries in the UK (Study One), which identified the area of user education for further study. Study Two proceeded to elicit information seeking practices and user education processes from academics and librarians. Finally, Study Three elicited information seeking practices of students who were engaged in library research. A model of the user education domain in the field of agricultural sciences in a Brazilian university was derived from the combination of the analysis of Study Two and Three. The model describes the library research process of individuals as happening in discipline specific contexts, influenced by the world at large. The process takes place through a series of information-seeking tasks and task-related strategies, which are employed to search external knowledge sources and satisfy an information need. During this interaction, internal knowledge sources are used and modified according to the tasks and strategies being carried out. If these internal knowledge sources are deficient for effective use of external knowledge sources, mediation strategies by an expert can help readjust the information-seeking process and alter the state of related internal knowledge sources The model proposed is used to derive recommendations for the design of user education programmes, subject librarians' work, and domain modelling using grounded theory.

This thesis reports a research work whose objective was to derive a grounded model of the user education domain, which was identified as pertaining to subject librarians' expertise, using a knowledge elicitation approach in the field of agricultural sciences. The knowledge elicitation framework adopted was that which sees knowledge acquisition as a process of modelling expertise, and the models derived as qualitative in nature. Accordingly, the main methodological approach involved was based on qualitative research and use of grounded theory methods. The research design was divided into three studies, all based on interview data. The research started by studying the role of subject librarians in academic libraries in the UK (Study One), which identified the area of user education for further study. Study Two proceeded to elicit information seeking practices and user education processes from academics and librarians. Finally, Study Three elicited information seeking practices of students who were engaged in library research. A model of the user education domain in the field of agricultural sciences in a Brazilian university was derived from the combination of the analysis of Study Two and Three. The model describes the library research process of individuals as happening in discipline specific contexts, influenced by the world at large. The process takes place through a series of information-seeking tasks and task-related strategies, which are employed to search external knowledge sources and satisfy an information need. During this interaction, internal knowledge sources are used and modified according to the tasks and strategies being carried out. If these internal knowledge sources are deficient for effective use of external knowledge sources, mediation strategies by an expert can help readjust the information-seeking process and alter the state of related internal knowledge sources The model proposed is used to derive recommendations for the design of user education programmes, subject librarians' work, and domain modelling using grounded theory.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T15:23:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1208181 bytes, checksum: cb7ab2952188965a56dbb1c29a210aad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-07-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / User education is a segment of real value, in view of that, users acquire new behaviors in using the library and establish interaction with the information system. This research aims to examine the existing user education practices in the Libraries that comprise the SIB/UFPE. This is a case study, with an exploratory and descriptive character. The methodology adopted covers a desk research, a bibliographical research and a field research, the latter being composed of two steps. The universe is composed of 12 librarians with a direction and coordination position in the Libraries of SIB/UFPE and 42 students from the 7th semester of Librarianship. The random sample is directed only to the students category, which represents 95% of the universe. We used as instruments of data collection the questionnaires, programs and reports relating to the user education activities developed by the libraries. To analyze the data, we used a qualitative and quantitative approach, prioritizing some elements of content analysis. In the first step of the research we identified that the SIB/UFPE is composed of 12 University Libraries: 11 located in academic centers, and one without link with any center. The libraries were created in different years, 1830, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1997, 1994 and 2006. The numbers of registered users are respectively from the Libraries: CAV with a total of 1,084, CCJ 1,707, CTG 2,963, Reitor Ednaldo Bastos Library 4,446, and the Yves Marie Gilles de Maupeou Library 2,499, totaling 12,699 users. The staff is composed of a number of 257, being 72 librarians, 80 administrative assistants, 105 fellows and 10 other professionals. The Libraries of SIB/UFPE conduct user education activities of both formal and informal type. For the evaluation of the activities carried out, the instrument used is the questionnaire. The main difficulty found for holding the activities was the institutional barrier. The possibilities of accomplishment were understood from the perspective that the respondents are aware of the importance of seeking improvements in the quality and effectiveness of the activities undertaken on behalf of its users. In the second step of the research, the results show that most of the users are female, aged 21 to 24 years, student as occupation, family income between 1 and 3 minimum wages, considered actual users of the libraries. The users do not have difficulties regarding the use of the informational products and services offered by the libraries, but it is necessary to consider the answers to other questions where the interpersonal barrier was revealed. The study reveals that the user education practices in the Libraries of SIB/UFPE are geared to informality, requiring adjustments to achieve the informational desires of its users; ratifies the need to implement a user education policy, to guide the service; and presents some guidelines for establishing such policy. We conclude therefore that the findings of this research corroborate the literature of the area, because the education of users within the University Libraries is considered essential, necessary and of great relevance. / A educação de usuários é um segmento de real valor, tendo em vista que, os usuários adquirem novos comportamentos frente ao uso da biblioteca e estabelecem interação com o sistema de informação. Esta pesquisa objetiva analisar as práticas de educação de usuários existentes nas Bibliotecas que compõem o SIB/UFPE. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, de cunho exploratório e descritivo. A metodologia adotada abrange uma pesquisa documental, bibliográfica e de campo, sendo esta última composta de duas etapas. O universo é composto por 12 bibliotecários com cargo de direção e coordenação nas Bibliotecas do SIB/UFPE e 42 alunos do 7º período do curso de Biblioteconomia. A amostra, aleatória, é direcionada apenas para a categoria de alunos, que representa 95% deste universo. Utilizamos como instrumento de coleta de dados o questionário, os programas e os relatórios referentes às atividades de educação de usuários desenvolvidas pelas bibliotecas. Para analisar os dados, utilizamos uma abordagem qualitativa e quantitativa, priorizando alguns elementos da análise do conteúdo. Na primeira etapa da pesquisa, identificamos que o SIB/UFPE é composto por 12 bibliotecas universitárias: 11 localizadas em centros acadêmicos, e uma sem vínculo com centro algum. As bibliotecas foram criadas em diferentes anos, 1830, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1992, 1997, 1994 e 2006. Os números de usuários cadastrados são respectivamente das Bibliotecas: do CAV com um total de 1.084, do CCJ 1.707, do CTG 2.963, da Biblioteca Reitor Ednaldo Bastos 4.446, e da Biblioteca Yves Marie Gilles de Maupeou 2.499, totalizando 12.699 usuários. O quadro de funcionários é composto por um número de 257, sendo 72 bibliotecários, 80 assistentes administrativos, 105 bolsistas e 10 outros profissionais. As Bibliotecas do SIB/UFPE realizam atividades de educação de usuários tanto do tipo formal como informal. Para a avaliação das atividades desenvolvidas, o instrumento utilizado é o questionário. A principal dificuldade encontrada para a realização das atividades foi a barreira institucional. As possibilidades de realização foram entendidas sob a perspectiva de que os pesquisados têm consciência da importância de buscar melhorias na qualidade e efetividade das atividades desenvolvidas em prol de seus usuários. Na segunda etapa da pesquisa, os resultados demonstram que a maioria dos usuários é do sexo feminino, faixa etária entre 21 a 24 anos, ocupação de estudante, renda familiar entre 1 a 3 salários mínimos, considerados usuários reais das bibliotecas. Os usuários não possuem dificuldades quanto ao uso dos serviços e produtos informacionais oferecidos pelas bibliotecas, porém é necessário levar em consideração respostas a outras questões onde foi revelada a barreira interpessoal. O estudo revela que as práticas de educação de usuários nas Bibliotecas do SIB/UFPE estão voltadas para a informalidade, carecendo de ajustes para alcançar os desejos informacionais dos seus usuários; ratifica a necessidade de implantar uma política de educação de usuários, para nortear o serviço e apresenta algumas diretrizes para o estabelecimento dessa política. Concluímos, então, que os achados da pesquisa corroboram a literatura da área, pois a educação de usuários no âmbito das bibliotecas universitárias é considerada imprescindível, necessária e de grande relevância.