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Article
Unobtrusive studies and the quality of academic library reference services
College & Research Libraries (1989)
  • Jo Bell Whitlatch, San Jose State University
Abstract
This article uses empirical data from a recent obtrusive study of reference performance to explore content validity and assumptions regarding unobtrusive studies. Data collected by author support the contention that improvements are highly desirable before conducting more unobtrusive studies of reference service. The two most important changes concern the development of test questions representing all types of queries and supplementing the correct fill rate with other measures of reference performance.
Keywords
  • quality,
  • academic,
  • library,
  • reference,
  • services
Publication Date
1989
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 1985 Jo Bell Whitlach. The published version of the article can be found online at: http://crl.acrl.org/content/50/2/181.full.pdf+html.
Citation Information
Jo Bell Whitlatch. "Unobtrusive studies and the quality of academic library reference services" College & Research Libraries Vol. 50 Iss. 2 (1989)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/jo_whitlatch/14/