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Dissertation Information for Marilyn P. Whitmore

NAME:
- Marilyn P. Whitmore

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Pittsburgh (USA) (1980)

ADVISORS:
- Patrick R. Penland

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- E. Blanche Woolls
- Donald Shirey
- Sara Fine
- Seth Spaulding

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: MICROFORMS AND THE USER; THE RELATIONSHIP OF A MICROFORM INSTRUCTION PROGRAM TO USER ACCEPTANCE

Abstract: The major purpose of this experiment was to investigate the relationship between a microform instruction program and user attitudes toward microforms. The instruction program was designed to exploit the advantages of the microform medium and aimed to reduce user resistance to the microformat.

Microforms have traditionally served the major purpose of space compaction in academic libraries. At the present time, a large volume of research material is available only on microform and the trend toward primary micropublishing is increasing at a rapid rate. Consequently, academic libraries are turning more and more to the microformat. Microforms are cheaper than print-on-paper and they save libraries a great deal of space but they are not being accepted by library users. Negative and apathetic attitudes have been expressed by most users.

The assumption was made that a program of instruction utilizing a slide/tape and a supplementary printed guide to reinforce the slide/tape program and designed to exploit the advantages of the microform medium would lead to a greater degree of acceptance than has been reported in past research.

The microform instruction was limited to "education" materials and users of "education" materials were selected as the subjects to test the program. The program was presented to students enrolled in research methodology classes in the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh and in the School of Education at Duquesne University in the fall 1979 term. Pre-test and post-test Likert-type attitude measuring instruments were designed to measure attitudes of the experimental and control groups.

The following conclusions were reached: (1) that the convenience of immediate access of documents was perceived as a greater benefit than the cumulative detriments of handling microforms instead of print; (2) that there was a relationship between age and attitudes toward microforms--users under 25 had more positive attitudes than those over 25; (3) that females had more positive attitudes than males; (4) that people who do not use reading glasses had more positive attitudes than those who use reading glasses; (5) that people who did not have experience using multi-media resources had more positive attitudes than those with experience; (6) that the experimental subjects, who had the benefit of the microform instruction, had slightly more positive attitudes toward microforms than the control subjects; and (7) that with minor modifications to eliminate the local aspects of the program, the slide/tape on the use of "education" microforms has the potential for widespread use in academic libraries.

Changing attitudes toward microforms is by no means a simple matter; it is a very complex one. The fact that this experiment produced a number of significant findings is remarkable. There is little doubt that the benefits of using microforms have increased sharply with the mounting pressures of space in libraries, the escalating costs of the printed media, and with the logistics of the information explosion. Researchers must continue to experiment with ways to change user attitudes if microforms are to achieve their great potential.

MPACT Scores for Marilyn P. Whitmore

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:22:20

Advisors and Advisees Graph

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Students under Marilyn P. Whitmore

ADVISEES:
- None

COMMITTEESHIPS:
- Suzy de Souza Queiroz - University of Pittsburgh (1981)