1. Finding the right notes: an observational study of score and recording seeking behaviors of music students
Kirstin Dougan
Music and Performing Arts Librarian
University of Illinois
November 19, 2013
Finding the Right Notes

2. Finding the Right Notes
Problem Statement(s)
How Music Students find
Three part problem—first, multitude of formats, second, multitude of titles forms; third, multitude of sources
Finding the Right Notes

3. Finding the Right Notes
Methodology
This is a follow-up to an earlier study of mine that surveyed ~80 students
15 students
10 undergraduates
5 graduate students
across music sub disciplines
Observation of six tasks (including five known-item searches and one genre search) and brief interview, done by assistant so as not to intimidate
Flickr: Marina del Castell __MaRiNa__
Finding the Right Notes

4. How Music Students Find Stuff
Analysis
Which tools
Starting points
Search techniques
Success
Where do they start--is the library catalog a last resort, or do they start there, but abandon it in frustration
What tool(s) do they use?
What search techniques do they use?
Do they find what they need (and how do they evaluate results?)
Differences between grads and undergrads
How Music Students Find Stuff

5. How Music Students Find Stuff
Outcomes
Still in analysis stage, but so far:
Catalog (and/or Easy Search) > Other tools
Location while searching matters
Requirements of end use matter
Many more use catalog than assumed; although some did say they would use YT for fun stuff
Location counts (if at library, use library); some don’t have internet at apt
End use matters—many prefer to buy own copy (want to keep track of own markings; much more likely for musicians to have later need for a score or recording, but some can’t afford it)
How Music Students Find Stuff

6. How Music Students Find Stuff
Next Steps
Further data analysis
Transaction log study in Easy Search MPAL module
Collection use study including physical and online media resources
Transaction log analysis in catalog not possible due to CARLI IP data restrictions
How Music Students Find Stuff