While academic libraries have often purchased proprietary software to assess patron satisfaction, the open source movement has generated high-quality software available free of…
Abstract
Purpose
While academic libraries have often purchased proprietary software to assess patron satisfaction, the open source movement has generated high-quality software available free of charge. These tools are useful alternatives in an era marked by tremendous budget cuts familiar to many academic libraries. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the ability of open source software to effectively and affordably measure the quality of service at academic libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The author's experience with using the open source tool LimeSurvey to administer a library survey over a three-year period serves as a case study for other institutions. A literature review contextualizes the history of patron satisfaction surveys within academic libraries and questions the lack of an open source presence. Popular proprietary survey software is reported as a viable but expensive option, leading to a detailed case study of Sarah Lawrence College's successful addition of open source software to its assessment procedures.
Findings
LimeSurvey is a flexible, customizable, and cost-effective tool for a small college library investing in querying its patrons for constructive feedback as a means of improving user experience.
Originality/value
This paper will be of value to any library on a fixed budget looking to assess patron satisfaction with resources and services. Very little literature currently exists on this topic, but as the open source movement continues to flourish this software can play an integral role in allowing libraries to cut costs but not indispensable patron feedback.
Details
Keywords
Nicholas Walker and Kristy Holtfreter
This paper aims to examine academic dishonesty and research misconduct, two forms of academic fraud, and provides suggestions for future research informed by criminological…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine academic dishonesty and research misconduct, two forms of academic fraud, and provides suggestions for future research informed by criminological theory.
Design/methodology/approach
After reviewing prior literature, this paper outlines four general criminological theories that can explain academic fraud.
Findings
While criminological theory has been applied to some studies of academic dishonesty, research misconduct has rarely been examined within a broader theoretical context.
Practical implications
This paper provides a blueprint for future theoretically informed analyses of academic fraud.
Originality/value
This paper represents a unique attempt to apply general criminological theories to diverse forms of fraud in higher education settings.