Ready reference collections: a historical study

¶ … Collections: A History. Reference & User Services Quarterly

In the article, Katz writes claiming of the existence of small collection usually next to the reference desk labeled as ready-reference works. There is an assumption of several conditions met to access a ready reference collection in the United States. The availability of sufficient reference activities specified required reference dedicated place service. The existence of the elements enlisted by Katz suggests that there would have been an assurance of essential tools naturally assembled. The article covers the reference tools to keep close by the librarians to enable the answering of client's questions on a quick notice. The article brings in librarian-client relationships history the accessible CD-ROMs reference books, internet sources, data base access, service reference search engines with the demise of printed book reference. Critique in the article, Singer sums up the professional career through the mentioning of the highly priced data base resources. On the specified online resources, clients assist themselves with item useful when utilized in origins with the availability of creative items to answer questions. The omission of Singer to mention on methodology aspect of the research paper during the qualitative analysis is a setback. During the samples taking in response to the progress of the ready reference books, when carrying out the quantitative research, there is no provision of figures with sample size to enable assisting the general population. During the quantitative research, the credential forwarded by the contributors of the article are not considering forms of perfect research resources to develop frequently for affiliation in field work survey. The selection criteria of the mentioned items should not have shifts in comparison to the old referenced librarian.Self-evident research critique

Survey research critique

Miller, L.E., Schweingruber, H., & Brandenburg, C.L. (2001). Middle school students' Technology Oractices and preferences: Re-Examining Gender Differences. Journal of educational multimedia and hypermedia 10(2), 125-140

Summary

In the article, Brandenburg, Miller and Schweingruber conducts successive surveys in a range of schools with socio-economic settings for the examination of potential gender varying differences among perceptions and technological uses in middle school scholars. For the study, they select from eight different schools 568 middle school scholars in the area of Houston. A stratified sampling method is through established category in consideration to socio-economic status with varying information profiled including sample size, enrolment, survey percentage and economic shortfalls inclusive. The collection of data finalized with a sample size of 512 scholars with the use of questionnaire constituting 68 closed and open answers.

The authors designed the questionnaires basing on concerned technology and the focus group with individual preferences and perceptions. Through the focus on self-perception on computer skills, technology exposure at the school and home, media style with content preferences, Miller et al. (2001) concludes of the narrowing the digital divide that existed once in SES and gender terms. The authors found out that 97% students had computer knowledge with internet access both at home and school. Miller et al. (2001) depicts of the generation as an engrossed in digital technology citing the reason in technological disparity decrease amongst socio-economic and gender backgrounds.

Critique

Miller et al. (2001) explores into the significant and remarkable area of gender biasness with informed set information, a methodical statistical analysis with adequate survey methodologies applied. The credit is to Miller et al. (2001) for the review of changes in gender bias and adjustments in technology education with technology fast passed. The authors provide well read and excellent summery in review to the aspects. They provide sample profiles with the construction of a comprehensive questionnaire having pilot tested questions. With the use of moderate sample, Miller et al. (2001) enables the increment in readability with validity if their result. The authors make available convincing evidence concerning the modern Houston students. This concerns the capability of accessing computer technology and enjoying its application in classrooms and at home regardless of SES or gender.

Miller et al. (2001) research has considerable questionable areas that require questions to the overall application of the specified survey research. The provided statistical analysis does not assist with validation of their research findings with the provided information having uniformity or little description in the application. For instance, there is an analysis of varying questions through the application of varying confidence levels with t-distributions only provided to support specified statistics. Another concern potential is the author's application of scholar's self-assessment as the core tool for data collection. Not only little information provided concerning the research design and methodology with the questionnaire content, but also there is also no indication given concerning the application tackled.

As a significant data collection instrument, care is considerable with the areas under research to enable the validation and substantiation of the given results. The last concern is on the Miller et al. (2001) general conclusions arising from the study context. The author discusses acculturation state with technology applications among the younger generation. This is without considering the clarity that the results may have limitations to the study geographical area.

Conclusion

Miller et al. (2001) gives a detailed and informed picture concerning the student's perception, study, accessibility and application of technology. Despite of the aspects valuable inclusive of statistics and sampling, the authors overlook on other relevant survey research aspects including sampling diversity, accuracy and questioning methodology details with a reliable statistical analysis. The authors might have failed in addressing potential limitations but have credit in making broader conclusions accurate through the made oversights.

Experimental study (ES) critique

Brown, C.M., Gibbons, J.L. And Smirles, K.E. (2007). Tribal Teachers Are Important to American Indian Adolescents' Tribal Identity Development. American Indian Culture and Research Journal (31:2). 103-111.

Summary

In the given survey, Gibbons, Smirles and Brown contacted the adolescents in affiliation with the Northeastern tribe found in the United States to make inquiries concerning tribal identity. The survey involved 30 correspondents with an age range from 13- to 17-year-old. The principal experimental study purpose targets understanding bicultural identity of ethnicity amongst the adolescents in affiliation to specified tribes. Adolescents, hypothesized, living with differing tribal communities apt in claiming a stronger identity compared to the people living farther. The cause is the lack of accessibility to customs, tribal knowledge and events in comparison to their native land. The considerable sense of community adds to confident and secure identity amongst the adolescents.

Critique

Amongst the 30 respondents, 9 were male with 21 female and the average age as 15.57 years old. 19 lived out of the state with 11 living in the home state of the tribe. The specified tribal community is relatively smaller compared to the larger tribes found in the U.S. with the geographical placement with the white settlement. The authors reasoning in the tribe selection bases on the lack of reservation land. The sample size used in the experimental study is relatively smaller when applied in such a study.