Research Performance in Undergraduates Receiving Face to Face versus Online Library Instruction: A Citation Analysis

In 2008, Rogers State University's Stratton Taylor Library launched an embedded librarian service for the university's online classes. While looking for a method to assess the effectiveness of the library instruction program, it was discovered that there has been very little quantitative research into the research activities of students who received embedded librarian services, compared with face- to- face students receiving traditional library instruction. A citation analysis was performed on the term papers of three sections of an upper- division management information systems class, and the results are discussed. The authors argue this methodology is useful both for individual libraries hoping to assess their embedded librarian programs, and researchers interested in exploring the overall effectiveness of this new mode of information literacy instruction.