Project Phases
First Phase: Outreach
The basic requirement for any community research project is to obtain input from every notable segment of its population. Consequently, public notices and outreach efforts are extremely important to attracting the interest among the numerous segments in the community. The following methods will be used for this outreach effort:
- Public Notices issued in local newspapers
- Notices included in the city’s newsletter
- Public Hearings: The research will begin with a public hearings to ensure that a balanced cross-section of all the citizen segments is in attendance at the meeting.
- Public Comment: In addition to the public hearings, an Internet website using the latest digital media tools will be established to capture additional comments and insights from citizens as well as to establish an open public forum for continuing citizen engagement. Traditional phone, U.S. Mail, and a drop-off box placed in the lobby of the library will also be used to collect public comments and insights.
Second Phase: Focus Group and Delphi Method
Focus Groups
At least three focus groups will be formed to elicit a more in-depth understanding of citizen needs and expectations. Focus groups of 12 - 15 members will be facilitated through both structured and improvised phases to maximize the information gathered and the enjoyment of the participants. Short icebreakers will be used to warm up and acquaint the group, and then experiences and opinions will be shared about their use of digital media, information seeking behavior and needs, and both experience and expectations of library services. Focus groups will be formed consisting of library users, non-users, and business owners.
Delphi Method
A Delphi method survey will be conducted for special users segments, such as, secondary school teacher, college professors, government officials, newspaper reporters and editors, to elicit their insights regarding their field of expertise and their use of digital media, information seeking behavior and needs, and their experience and expectations of library services.
At least three focus groups will be formed to elicit a more in-depth understanding of citizen needs and expectations. Focus groups of 12 - 15 members will be facilitated through both structured and improvised phases to maximize the information gathered and the enjoyment of the participants. Short icebreakers will be used to warm up and acquaint the group, and then experiences and opinions will be shared about their use of digital media, information seeking behavior and needs, and both experience and expectations of library services. Focus groups will be formed consisting of library users, non-users, and business owners.
Delphi Method
A Delphi method survey will be conducted for special users segments, such as, secondary school teacher, college professors, government officials, newspaper reporters and editors, to elicit their insights regarding their field of expertise and their use of digital media, information seeking behavior and needs, and their experience and expectations of library services.
Third Phase: Questionnaire development, administration, and analysis
Questionnaire development
A questionnaire will be developed based on the insights obtained by the above four qualitative methods of eliciting public opinion: public hearing, public comment, focus groups, and Delphi Method.
Questionnaire administration
Efforts will be made to ensure that household from every notable segment of the population completes the questionnaire. In addition to the random sampling, the general public will be invited to complete the questionnaire administered face-to-face, self-administered in paper form, or via a link on the library’s website directing participants to a website making the questionnaire available as an online form. This second, non-random sample will be used to help establish validity for the research findings.
Questionnaire analysis
Standard statistical methods will be used to analysis the findings.
A questionnaire will be developed based on the insights obtained by the above four qualitative methods of eliciting public opinion: public hearing, public comment, focus groups, and Delphi Method.
Questionnaire administration
Efforts will be made to ensure that household from every notable segment of the population completes the questionnaire. In addition to the random sampling, the general public will be invited to complete the questionnaire administered face-to-face, self-administered in paper form, or via a link on the library’s website directing participants to a website making the questionnaire available as an online form. This second, non-random sample will be used to help establish validity for the research findings.
Questionnaire analysis
Standard statistical methods will be used to analysis the findings.
Fourth Phase: Reporting to public
The findings from the Third Phase as well as the four qualitative survey method will be reported to the public via follow-up public meetings and the project’s website as well as reconvening some focus group and Delphi Method participants. This phase has three goals: to refine and validate findings, to stimulate insights, and to continue the public discussion
Fifth Phase: Finalize project report
This phase will be the finalization of the report and include public presentation and the distribution of the final report to appropriate outlets. The final report will be available free via the Internet.
Sixth Phase: Design website to sustain public dialog
This phase will be to maintain a website for continuing public comment.
The goal is that the website will be used by citizens to provide their feedback and other comments that will be helpful to the various stakeholder in the community in their effort to be relevant, meaningful, and accessible in today digital media environment.
The goal is that the website will be used by citizens to provide their feedback and other comments that will be helpful to the various stakeholder in the community in their effort to be relevant, meaningful, and accessible in today digital media environment.