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Research Design

Context
In November 2004, Poppleton University Library introduced an extended hours service (9pm-12am, Mon-Thurs, term time only) at their main site.  The decision to extend hours was made in response to feedback from user surveys.  Due to financial constraints it was decided that a reduced service would be offered during these hours.  The library building is open but is not staffed by library employees.  Access is only granted to members of Poppleton University holding a valid ID card.  Two members of staff have been employed to oversee the library during these hours but are not there to answer enquiries or issue books.  The library is only available for reference, study space and the use of computers.  The purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of this new service.

Research objectives
1) To determine the level of library use during extended opening hours (9pm-12am, Mon-Thurs)
2) To create a profile of the late night library user
3) To establish the reasons for use of the library during extended opening hours
4) To determine whether service levels meet user expectations

Research Strategy
The research will have a mixed-method approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Research Methodology
Statistical data collected by the library will be analysed to determine the extent of library use during these hours and whether levels vary depending on the time of year (objective 1).

2) Observation
Over a one week period (Mon-Thurs) a count will be undertaken to determine the number of people entering the library during the extended hours period (objective 1).

3) Survey
A self-completion questionnaire will be distributed during the same week as the observation takes place.  This questionnaire will be piloted on library peers before being distributed. Quantitative data (using closed questions) will be collected in order to create a profile of the late night library user (objective 2) and to establish the reasons for using the library during extended hours (objective 3).  Qualitative data (using open questions) will be collected to determine whether service levels meet user expectations and any issues that they wish to raise concerning the opening hours of the library (objective 4). 

4) Interviews
Semi-structured interviews (purposeful sample) will be used to obtain more in depth data relating to user perceptions of the extended opening service (objective 4).

Validity
“Validity is concerned with whether the findings are ‘really’ about what they appear to be about (Robson, 2002:93)”
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