Passionate about user research? Experienced with data collection, analysis, and dissemination? Thrive in a team environment? Have I got the most AMAZING adventure for you….
OCLC seeks an Associate Researcher to conduct quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis and contribute to developing summary report of the findings in support of the Building a National Finding Aid Network project. The position is full-time for a 2-year term, beginning September or October 2020.
Supported by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in partnership with the California Digital Library (CDL), OCLC Research, and the University of Virginia Library will conduct a 2-year research and demonstration project to establish the foundations for a national-level archival finding aid network.
OCLC primarily will be responsible for conducting and coordinating user and participant research activities, with CDL supporting participation by statewide/regional aggregators and other participants.
Key activities include:
- Lead work to prioritize and scope the research questions, design the research methodology, and implement the methodology. This will include literature reviews, evaluation of reports from related research initiatives, and conducting interviews, focus groups, and/or surveys with researchers and other key stakeholders. Per IMLS, research information collection is subject to 45 C.F.R. (Protection of Human Subjects). OCLC will coordinate IRB review and approval for the user and participant research activities.
- Identify and provide input to the project team on requirements for prototype technical systems, informed by research and findings.
- Synthesize and document findings, for sharing with the broader library, archive, and museum community.
- Share findings at key conference presentations. Coordinate with core partners to disseminate findings, through announcements to the broader library, archive, and museum communities via activities such as persistently-hosted reports and/or peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, and mailing list announcements.
- Details about the research method, key activities, and outputs from the project are available upon request.
- In close coordination with the OCLC project team, including Dr. Connaway, the Associate Researcher will conduct the quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis necessary to develop summary report of the findings. Specific responsibilities include:
- Completion of PHRP course to be certified for human subject research
- Development and administration of online questionnaires and individual semi-structured interview protocols, including pre-test
- Recruitment of study participants and conducting or supporting up to 25 virtual or in-person individual interviews, 5-8 virtual or in-person focus group interviews, approximately 250 online surveys, and other data collection
- Selection and review of community and library artifacts and information such as policy manuals
- Data analysis and review with project team and advisors
- Oral and written summary of results for a non-technical audience of library personnel, community leaders, and cross-sector partners.
The project team is geographically distributed across the US, including several people based out of our Dublin, OH headquarters. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all working remotely. The person filling this role will not need to be located in Dublin, OH. OCLC will provide a laptop and software needed to work remotely. The Associate Researcher will be a full-time OCLC employee, with benefits, for 24 months, beginning September or October 2020. The salary for the position is $67,000 annually, plus benefits.
Qualifications:
- Master's Degree required, Ph.D. or doctoral student preferred, in Library & Information Science, Social Science, Cognitive Psychology, or related discipline
- Three years of research experience, including graduate study research
- Demonstrated knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and the ability to analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data and information
- Superior oral and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to write and present research for a non-technical, non-academic audience and readership
- Demonstrated ability to participate and communicate in virtual and face-to-face team environments
- Superior interpersonal skills when interacting with colleagues, clients, advisors, and a diversity of research participants.
- Ability to travel to up to five locations across the through summer 2022, including travel by air and car, if travel is deemed safe during the project period
- Self-motivated and able to work both independently while also collaboratively as part of a team
- Project management skills and ability to prioritize work effectively
- Experience with Microsoft Office, database, and quantitative and qualitative data analysis programs, i.e., NVivo, SPSS.
Desirable but not required:
- Knowledge of research and practice in archives and special collections
- Publications in professional journals, industry magazines and/or conference proceedings
If you are interested in supporting this work as our Associate Researcher, more information about OCLC and how to apply for the position is available at https://oclc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OCLC_Careers/job/US-Work-from-Home/Associate-Researcher_R0001617
Applications submitted by August 31st will receive first considerations.
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Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D.
Director of Library Trends and User Research
OCLC Research
connawal@oclc.org@LynnConnaway
she/her
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