Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Indeksing ng mga Tesis at Disertasyon sa Pagtuturo ng Filipino Taong 1970-2005

Researcher: HERMINIA R. ATIENZA

Course: Master of Arts in Education Major in Library Science

School: Philippine Normal University

Subject Area: Indexing

Year of Graduation: 2006

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

The Centro Escolar University Library Internet-Based Services: Status and Prospects

Researcher: HAYDEE MAPALAD CLEMENTE

Course: Master of Arts in Library Science

School: Centro Escolar University, Philippines

Subject Area: Library Information Networks

Year of Graduation: 2006

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Use of Media Technology as an Instructional Tool in Inter-Institutional Consortium (I-IC) Schools

Researcher: VIVIAN C. SORIENTE

Course: Master in Library and Information Science


School: University of the Philippines, Diliman


Subject Area: Media Technology-Usage, Consortia


Year of Graduation: 2005


Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to: 1) determine the extent of use of the media technology among the I-IC school; 2) determine the perceptions of the students and teachers regarding the effectiveness of the media technology; 3) identify the problems encountered in using the media technology; and 4) find out possible solutions in resolving the problems.


Methodology

The study used the descriptive survey method, particularly the formal interview (Sanchez, 1986) where the respondents were asked questions from carefully prepared interview schedules and their answers were recorded in a standardized from. This enabled the researcher to acquire valuable insights and first hand information from the students and faculty members of the I-IC schools on their perception of media technology.


Findings

Results of the study revealed that the overhead projectors are still the most commonly used equipment and VHS tapes are very useful media materials. Borrowing of materials and equipment was most frequently done by DLSU and PCU whereas SPCM and SSC often reserved the viewing room. Few students used the modern type of technology due to lack of knowledge and expertise.


Recommendations

Some of the recommendations were to purchase more modern technology equipment; conduct a regular in-service media training to media staff; promote annual acquisitions of media materials and equipment; and create a standard policy of circulation and sharing of equipment to each member school.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

The Development of a Library Instruction Program for the St. Stephen’s High School Library with Emphasis on Improving Specific Library-Related Skills

Researcher: JUDITH Y. SY

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Diliman

Subject Area: Library Instruction

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem
This study developed a library instruction program that aims to improve students’ competence in using library resources and in finding information that they need in the library by addressing specific library-related skills. In order to achieve this, the study measured the existing level of awareness or knowledge of students regarding these skills. Specifically, the study addresses the following questions: 1) What is the current level of awareness of students at St. Stephen’s High School (SSHS) of the following specific library-related skills: a) knowledge on the different parts of a book; b) knowledge on Dewey Decimal Classification; c) knowledge on card catalog; d) knowledge on the use of reference materials; and e) knowledge on conducting basic research?; 2) Which of the preceding specific library related skills need to be given emphasis in a library instruction program that aims to address and improve identified weaknesses/knowledge among the students' level of awareness of the said skills?

Methodology
The data required for this study were gathered into two phases. The first phase involved measuring the current level of awareness/knowledge of the students of St. Stephen's High School by means of administering the research instrument to both experimental and control groups drawn from the three year levels. Results of the pre-test were used to guide the development of the library instruction program. The prototype library instruction program developed using the result of the first phase of data collection was then used in instructing only the experimental groups. The second phase involved administering a post-test to both experimental and control groups.

Findings
The results of the pre-test showed that knowledge on the use of reference materials and knowledge on conducting basic research are the two areas that garnered the lowest average percentage of correct answers. Moreover, the average percentage of correct answers for these two areas is less than 50% which means that less than half of the sample respondents were able to answer the questions pertaining to these areas correctly. Moreover, it was also noted that each of the five areas had items that garnered low percentages of correct answers. using formulated concepts based on the results of the pre-test as guidelines, materials were compiled from various sources to constitute the library instruction program for SSHS Library. The three designated experimental group were then given the library instruction program developed using the results of the pre-test. Afterwards, a post-test was administered to both designated experimental and control groups. Results of the pre-test and post-test were examined and compared. It was generally found out that there is an increase/improvement in students level of awareness/knowledge of specific library related-skills upon being administered a library instruction program that is specifically based upon actual diagnosed instructional needs of the students.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Economics of Scale in Academic Libraries of the University of the Philippines Diliman

Researcher: NEVILLE C. CATAYLO

Course: Master in Library and Information Science

School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City

Subject Area: Academic Libraries

Year of Graduation: 2005

Statement of the Problem
The study examines scale economies in the U.P. Diliman academic libraries using two year cross-section pooled data on 26 libraries.

Methodology
The data was fitted into a cost function under a natural log linear model. Two collection outputs, nine service outputs and a dummy variable were included in the cost function. The choice of variables was intended to reflect library operations.

Findings
The study finds that significant economies of scale exist in the UP Diliman libraries with the sum of regression coefficients being equal to 0.64. The regression model explains 80.4 percent of the variation of total cost. The results show that the volumes held and circulation to be very important aspects of the UP library network and essential measures of library performance. The results also show a fairly strong association between total cost and the usage of Filipiniana materials, periodicals, audiovisuals and group presentations. The serials collection, as measured by the number of serial titles, the use of reserve materials, newspapers and the provision of reference services are not found to be significant contributors to the cost of UP Diliman Libraries. The results point to a set of economic factors that could assist in the analysis prediction of future performance of the UP Diliman Libraries. These results of the regression analysis may also be used for library management, operational planning and budget preparation, among others.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

A Profile of Government Archivists in Metro Manila

Researcher: JOCELYN P. BASA


Course: Master in Library and Information Science


School: University of the Philippines, Quezon City


Subject Area: Archivists


Year of Graduation: 2005


Introduction

As any organization, archives cannot exist without the appropriate staff. The size and type of personnel depend on the size of the institution and the archival program. Those seeking archives positions should be competitive enough not only to comply with the minimum standards but to surpass these.


Statement of the Problem

This study focused on people working in government archives. It aimed to construct a profile by looking into government archivists in Metro Manila with regard to the following aspects: educational background, work experience, task performed, and qualification requirements of their position as set by their institutions.


Methodology

There were eight (8) institutions surveyed namely: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), House of Representatives (HOR), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Philippine Normal University (PNU), Records Management and Archives Office (RMAO), Senate of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines (UP).


Findings

Educational requirements of archives personnel have not been specific on what degree should applicant possess before they apply. Government archives hire archivists who are graduates of any course without the necessary archives training and experience. Qualification standards set by the Civil Service Commission are being implemented or used by the institutions. Otherwise, they use a different position title.


Conclusions

The study concluded that: position titles/designations of archives personnel depend on the kind of institution the archives is under; staff with permanent appointment status have second level eligibility; form of training readily available is informal; staff are sent to attend short courses, seminar-workshops, etc. on official time since formal education cannot normally be availed during office hours; informal training programs on archives offered locally and abroad seem appropriate to the needs of government archives/archivists in the performance of their duties; and necessary skills are acquired through in-service training programs. The qualification standards being used by government archives can be modified eventually when a formal degree on archival studies will be available locally. It was noted that certain government agencies were very protective of their institutions. No information was given for questions the administration decided were confidential with respect to their reputation as an archives office. They did not want to give information that may result in the conclusion that their personnel are unqualified or do not possess the ideal qualifications. It is also desired that offering a formal degree in archives studies be pushed through to equip future archivists with the necessary archival principles and skills prior to employment. In the absence of a degree, non-formal training could be considered to modify the qualification requirements for hiring archivists in the government. It is the desire of the author that institutions in the future are more cooperative in similar studies since the study only wants to help find ways to improve the profession.