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Completed Projects

THE VALUE OF LIS SCHOOL WORK PLACEMENTS

Research undertaken at the Centre for Information Research and Training (CIRT), University of Central England (UCE), identified the valued characteristics of Library and Information Studies (LIS) school work placements. The research was carried out between March 1994 and July 1995 and was funded by the British Library with additional support for tutors workshops provided by the British Association for Information, Library Education and Research (BAILER).

The research method combined the use of group feedback strategy (GFS) with questionnaires that sought to identify different placement practices across eight UK universities that offered work placements as part of their LIS undergraduate courses.

When possible, random selection was used to identify representatives from employers, tutors, pre-placement and post-placement students and graduates for each university. These subjects were asked to identify valued characteristics of LIS work placements. Characteristics were then scored for importance and satisfaction on a 7 point scale and these scores were then plotted to identify examples of good practice and areas that were satisfactory or raised concern.

In the primary analysis, quantitative and qualitative data showed reasonably high levels of satisfaction for all areas across all groups. Areas where involvement could be made were identified and the contribution that placements made to the personal and professional development of students and others involved was discussed. Successful aspects of work placements, together with areas for improvements, were used to develop generic guidelines for good practice for placements in LIS education.

Publications

Chivers, B., Flatten, K., Nankivell, C., Reid, B. The Value of LIS School Work Placements. London: British Library, 1995.

Chivers, B & Flatten, K. Characteristics of Work Placements Valued by Employers. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 48 (4), 1996, 405-415.

Project Team
Barbara Chivers
Kay Flatten
Clare Nankivell
Bruce Reid