Online Term Paper Research Clinic

TitleOnline Term Paper Research Clinic
Faculty/College/UnitUBC Library
StatusCompleted
Duration3 Years
Initiation04/01/2003
Completion03/31/2006
Funding Details
Year 1: Project TitleUBC Library Chat Reference Pilot Project
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2003/2004
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorSimon Neame
Year 1: Funded Amount35,000
Year 1: Team Members

Simon Neame, Information Services, UBC Library

Year 1: Summary

The UBC Library seeks to expand its current reference services to include synchronous, real-time chat reference service offered online via the Library's web site. Over the past several years, users of the Library have increasingly relied on online access to the Library's electronic resources and full-text collections in place of in-person visits.

Currently, the Library's ability to assist users within the online environment is limited. If someone encounters problems searching an online database they must go to a reference desk, phone, or email for help. The Chat Reference Service Pilot Project would allow the user to click on a button and get immediate help with their problem, while they are online.

This pilot project will serve as an opportunity to:

  • Teach users of the Library how to access, use, and locate resources while in the online environment.
  • Test chat reference technology and evaluate its effectiveness as a reference/instructional tool.
  • Develop the reference and technical knowledge of graduate students staffing the service.
  • Assess the usefulness of and satisfaction with such a service.
  • Evaluate the viability of making such a service a core element of the Library’s reference services.
Year 2: Project TitleChat Reference Pilot Project – Phase II
Year 2: Project YearYear 2
Year 2: Funding Year2004/2005
Year 2: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 2: Principal InvestigatorSimon Neame
Year 2: Funded Amount56,807
Year 2: Team Members

Simon Neame, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC Library
Trish Rosseel, Information Literacy Librarian, Koerner Library

Year 2: Summary

UBC Library seeks to continue its current online chat reference pilot project - eHelp - and expand it to include an online version of UBC Library's popular Term Paper Research Clinic Program. Over the past several years, users of the Library have increasingly relied on online access to the Library's electronic resources and full-text collections in place of in-person visits.

This year, with the launch of eHelp the Library's ability to assist users within the online environment has increased, however the potential of the chat reference software, Virtual Reference Toolkit, as a teaching tool has yet to be fully explored. The main objective of phase 2 of the Chat Reference Pilot Project would be to offer online instruction by appointment, following the Term Paper Research Clinic model. Under this program, students needing assistance with their term paper research would be able to schedule an online meeting with an appropriate subject specialist. They would get help finding resources and online instruction regarding how to use them. While over 100 students per term currently benefit from the campus-based Term Paper Research Program, many others - especially distance education students-would benefit from eHelp's online instructional service.

This project would serve as an opportunity to:

  • Teach users of the Library how to access, use, and locate resources while in the online environment.
  • Extend the Term Paper Research Clinic Program to users not on campus, or with restricted access to the physical Library.
  • Develop the reference and teaching skills of graduate students providing the service.
  • Test char reference meeting room technology and evaluate its effectiveness as an instructional tool.
  • Involve more graduate students from SLAIS by expending the Term Paper Research Clinic Program.
Year 3: Project YearYear 3
Year 3: Funding Year2005/2006
Year 3: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 3: Principal InvestigatorSimon Neame
Year 3: Funded Amount34,170
Year 3: Team Members

Simon Neame, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, UBC Library

Year 3: Summary

The eHelp Virtual Reference Pilot Project is in its second year and the number of users is increasing every month. This past term, a new component was added to the eHelp service, the Online Term Paper Research Clinic. In the first term alone, over 60 students received one-to-one help from graduate student tutors from the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies at UBC, on finding quality information sources in preparation for writing their term papers. The eHelp Virtual Reference Pilot Project is now administered jointly with The UBC Library and The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at UBC.

This proposal seeks funding to continue and expand the Online Term Paper Research Clinic Program next year through opportunities identified by the Learning Centre through the recent Provincial Consultation process. A key component of the success of this service is the involvement of the graduate students from SLAIS, who gain valuable practical experience participating in the program. Another important component will be marketing the program to students at the new UBC-Okanagan campus as well as to students in UBC affiliated programs who are studying at a distance.