Introduction to Business Library Research: Asynchronous Online Library Instruction

AUTHORS

• Jason Sokoloff, head, Foster Business Library, UW Libraries, Seattle
• Jessica Jerrit, business and economics librarian, Foster Business Library, UW Libraries, Seattle
• Amanda Pirog, business librarian, Foster Business Library, UW Libraries, Seattle

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ABSTRACT

Introduction to Business Library Research (IBLR) is an asynchronous, not-for-credit online workshop in Canvas and WordPress created by the Foster Business Library librarians. Originally designed for undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business, the content and activities apply to any student new to business information research.

Business librarians from other institutions have created similar introductory research courses, designed for in-person delivery and recently adapted to a virtual format. IBLR has only existed virtually. Designing and offering short online courses covering the basics of research for different student groups has become an increasingly popular instruction tool for librarians, including at the UW.

Based on the steady number of student participants each quarter and interest from instructors in using IBLR content to complement courses, there is a need for an introductory course on business research. According to Entrepreneurship 440 instructor Christy Johnson, “Since adding IBLR modules to my course, the quality of the student's benchmarking and competitive analysis has improved significantly.”

IBLR has allowed the Foster librarians to redefine our instructional role, moving away from the traditional “one-shot” session to an online format where students can lead their own learning. The format and delivery of content in IBLR can be adapted by other instructors and librarians as a model for introductory non-credit courses and can complement existing for-credit courses, providing students additional opportunities to build skills in a particular field or discipline. Since business research is interdisciplinary in nature, we also encourage instructors across UW to make IBLR accessible to their students.

SUMMARY

RESEARCH QUESTION

Introduction to Business Library Research (IBLR) is an asynchronous, not-for-credit online workshop in Canvas and WordPress created by the Foster Business Library librarians. Originally designed for undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business, the content and activities apply to any student new to business information research.

RESEARCH METHODS / SCHOLARLY BASIS

Business librarians from other institutions have created similar introductory research courses, designed for in-person delivery and recently adapted to a virtual format. IBLR has only existed virtually. Designing and offering short online courses covering the basics of research for different student groups has become an increasingly popular instruction tool for librarians, including at the UW.

RESULTS

Based on the steady number of student participants each quarter and interest from instructors in using IBLR content to complement courses, there is a need for an introductory course on business research. According to Entrepreneurship 440 instructor Christy Johnson, “Since adding IBLR modules to my course, the quality of the student's benchmarking and competitive analysis has improved significantly.”

APPLICATION

IBLR has allowed the Foster librarians to redefine our instructional role, moving away from the traditional “one-shot” session to an online format where students can lead their own learning. The format and delivery of content in IBLR can be adapted by other instructors and librarians as a model for introductory non-credit courses and can complement existing for-credit courses, providing students additional opportunities to build skills in a particular field or discipline. Since business research is interdisciplinary in nature, we also encourage instructors across UW to make IBLR accessible to their students.