Learning and Teaching Enhancement Section

Students as Researchers Scheme 2017/2018

Staff Application Form

Name / Fran Porritt
Section/Subject / LRS
School/Department / SLS
Contact email /
Title of research project/activity / Evaluation and impact analysis of the pilot of the Advance card
Pedagogic or Discipline Specific / Pedagogic
Summary of project research activity / In the era of high student fees and intense market competition, many universities now buy books for their new students. Some universities have provided textbooks, or e-resources pre-loaded on devices. In a new innovation, many universities are now incorporating student choice into the offer and have enabled students to choose how to spend funds via the use of a smartcard pre-loaded with funds.
Teesside University are piloting such an approach with one academic School, the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law. The pilot will provide students with £100 via a smartcard (the Advance card) for students to spend on reading list books. The pilot covers new full-time undergraduate students in the School, and is operated in collaboration with an external company, JS.
The NSS qualitative data often reveals a perceived shortfall in the ability of libraries to be able to meet student demand:
“There can sometimes be a shortage of specific books I need for my course” (NSS comment, 2017) The scheme aims to address this issue.
The aim of the project to evaluate the ‘Advance card’ scheme against baseline data of book borrowing and reservation patterns of reading list titles.
There are two strands to the project: qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative strand will analyse quantitative data from library systems and from data provided by JS. The qualitative strand will aim to gain an insight into why students select certain titles to purchase; and what their expectations of the university library are for the supply of reading list titles. The method used for this strand will be one to interviews conducted by the student researcher. Focus groups have been considered but it is felt that we would not derive any new data that had not been discovered by the in-depth interviews, and in addition there are often huge difficulties recruiting participants for them.
This project needs to be built into the overall evaluation of the Advance Scheme and agreed by the Advance Scheme Steering Group (Chair: Chris Walker)
Have you obtained ethical clearance for this project? / No. We will be applying for ethical approval via the SSHL committee and aim to apply for approval at the next committee meeting (date to be confirmed by Dr Chris Wilson and Dr Kath Swainston)
Summary of student tasks / ·  Excel data analysis of data pertaining to book borrowing and reservation patterns; and book purchasing patterns via the Advance card.
·  Literature review
·  Recruitment of interview participants. Participants will be recruited by the student researcher using university mechanisms e.g. School representatives, and also via peer networks.
·  One to one interviews with 5 1st year undergraduate students, and 5 2nd and 3rd year students.
·  Some limited transcription, to a maximum of 14 hours. The remaining transcription tasks will be completed by members of SLS Learning and Research Support team; with potential assistance from the Business Support team, if required.
·  Analysis of interviews will be done using Grounded Theory. The research team will meet to discuss and agree themes that have emerged so that there is a consistency of approach.
·  Final report
·  Potential presentation at the internal learning and teaching conference and other external conferences.
Research output(s) for student (Please detail the tasks that the student(s) will be involved in and how these will develop their research skills) / The student researchers will gain experience of the research process, working with data provided by suppliers and from departmental systems. Interviewing skills will be developed, alongside analysis of interviews.
Fran Porritt, as project lead, will be the primary contact person for the student researcher with regards to day to day dialogue around the project completion timeline and will provide advise over research methods including analysis methods being used including Grounded Theory. Fran will also provide training when identified as beneficial to the students and to achieve the best possible outcome from the project.
Fran has extensive research experience including
· URF project “A methodology for the evaluation of design parameters (layout, labelling and annotation) on usability of large web sites” (2004): Member of Research Team with Professor Paul van Schaik, Andy Price and Joanne Tilley
· SCONUL/LIRG Impact measurement project “The role of University of Teesside Library & Information Services in supporting University students based at 7 local partnership colleges” (2005) Member of Research Team with Sue Myer
· Member of Research Team with 2 L&IS SAR projects “Picture this!” and “Reflections on challenging assignments: exploring the Teesside context with students” (although not named on applications, other team members can confirm Fran’s extensive contribution to both projects)
· Library Customer Satisfaction surveys 2005-9
demonstrated through, for example, ‘Case study of good practice: market research. University of Teesside L&IS Spring 2005 student survey’. In Brewerton, A (ed) (2008) Marketing library services: a SCONUL working paper. SCONUL.
Fran has a Masters in Social Research Methods
Former student researcher supported by Fran, Ethan Lumb confirmed by way of a testimonial that ‘Fran Porritt provided excellent support when I took part in the Student as Researcher scheme. She provided enough space for me to use my own initiative at times but also guidance of what the next steps should be.’
A small group of experienced library professionals who support the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law ( Fran Porritt – Academic Librarian, Patricia Crosier and Gemma Wells , both Assistant Academic Librarians ) will act as a project research advisory team and meet with the student on a minimum of a fortnightly basis to review progress and provide guidance to ‘next steps’ focussing on the research methods being used.
Patricia and Gemma both have research experience including an investigation of the use of RefWorks, in which the findings informed future developments and promotions. Patricia has also assisted in a project to assess the usability of the Library’s website.
Both Patricia and Gemma have Masters qualifications.
The student will benefit, during the lifetime of the project, from accessing the research knowledge and experience of the 3 staff through one to one coaching and training facilitated by including introductions and into research methods that are new or unfamiliar to the student.
Are there specific criteria students need to address when applying for the project? (e.g. specific research skills, discipline knowledge) / Some experience of one-to-one interviewing, and qualitative thematic analysis, although some training will be provided. The most important characteristic the student researcher will need is an empathy for the project aim and an enthusiasm for library services.
Anticipated timeline for project / 3 months: please see attached draft project plan
Number of student hours required (max. 65 hours) / 65
Are there any additional costs associated with the student researcher i.e. travel? Please provide details of how this will be funded
Signed / Date
Approved by Head of Department/Director / Date