A recent study reveals that low morale is the result of repeated and protracted exposure to emotional, verbal/written, and systemic abuse or neglect in the workplace (Kendrick 2017; access information at http://bit.ly/2yk5lc0). However, recent LIS scholarship on microaggressions, continuing recruitment and retention problems, coverage of the historic marginalization of African American librarians or library users of color, and current developments in United States social and political spheres indicate more research is needed to discover other factors that may impact low-morale development for this group.
If you are:
a) A racial or ethnic minority credentialed (earned the MLIS or equivalent) North American academic librarian who
b) Has worked or currently works in an academic library in the United States and
c) Has experienced low-morale as defined above,
You are invited to participate in a research study designed to: 1) to discover differences in the emotional trajectories of and physiological impacts on racial or ethnic minority North American academic librarians who identify as having a low-morale experience, 2) to identify professional, social, institutional, or political systems, policies, or practices that cause or impact the development of this group’s low-morale experience, and 3) to discover how these causes/impacts, systems, or practices and emotional and physiological changes are identified, mitigated or resolved through myriad cognitive, physical, verbal, or other processes and actions.
This study is investigated by Kaetrena Davis Kendrick (Associate Librarian, Associate Professor, University of South Carolina Lancaster).
If you choose to participate, I will conduct a telephone interview with you that will last 45-60 minutes, and you will also be asked to complete a brief survey which should only take 5-6 minutes to complete. Survey responses will be anonymous and kept separately from interview responses. Interviews will be confidential and participants will not be identified personally.
Participation in this study is completely voluntary. If you are interested in participating, please contact me directly by phone or email to set up a telephone appointment. If you know of anyone else who might be eligible and who is interested in participating, please feel free to forward them this
message.
Principal Investigator contact information:
Kaetrena D. Kendrick at 803-313-7061; kaetrena@mailbox.sc.edu
If you have questions about this study, you may contact the researcher at the contact points listed above. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a participant in this research study, you may contact the University of South Carolina’s Office of Research Compliance at 803-777-7095.
Thanks for your interest in and support of this study.
Kaetrena Davis Kendrick, M.S.L.S.