Describes a study that replicated two earlier studies to determine whether environmental factors of reference departments and behavioral characteristics of references staff members had changed over the past ten years. Results emphasize the need for more and better education and training in conducting reference interviews and providing client…

This paper reports the results of a study conducted at the University of Arizona Graduate Library School, to determine whether students taught reference using an audio-tutorial method would differ significantly in learning ability and attitude from students in a traditional reference course. (Author/KP)

IN ORDER TO EXAMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORMAL LIBRARY EDUCATION AND EFFECTIVENESS IN ANSWERING REFERENCE QUESTIONS, FIELD STUDIES WERE CONDUCTED IN WHICH 9 PAIRS OF REFERENCE STAFF MEMBERS IN MEDIUM-SIZED PUBLIC LIBRARIES WERE ASKED A SET OF TEST REFERENCE QUESTIONS AND OBSERVED WHILE THEY ANSWERED THEM. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS WERE THAT--(1) THE…

The purpose of the investigation was to develop and test an audio-tutorial program for a course in Basic Reference. The design of the investigation was a posttest-only-control group design with 63 students randomly assigned to either an audio-tutorial or a lecture group. Data were collected and analyzed using a t-test for two groups and four…

Describes a study, conducted at the University of Michigan, that used two different computer-assisted instruction approaches--a linear, tutor program and a simulated library reference situation--with library school students to test learning effectiveness. Report includes 21 data tables, an interview schedule, and sample instructional materials…

Discusses results of a survey of LIS (library and information science) educators who specialized in reference services or online retrieval to understand how teachers have prepared students to deal with online and CD-ROM resources. Results are compared to those from earlier studies, and a copy of the survey is appended. (Author/LRW)