To obtain the equipment necessary to conduct a research study requiring both robust data collection and easily accessible technology, School of Education and Social Policy senior Jamila Silver turned to the Northwestern Library Circulation Desk. After discussing the needs of the study to the librarian on duty, Silver decided that iPads would be the most effective tool for performing her fieldwork in Chicago. Lucky for her, the Northwestern Library has them available for checkout to students.
This decision was key to the success of the Preschool Mood Study, which examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms among a cohort of low-income preschool children, with a particular focus on the extent to which a child’s personality, life experiences, and family environments influence the development of depressive symptoms. Each week, Silver went to the circulation desk to check out the three to four iPads necessary for the study, and every seven days she would repeat the process.
“The iPads were a key resource. Because we were going into low-income neighborhoods, we couldn’t guarantee that families would have the resources necessary to complete our questionnaires, like a cellphone or computer with internet access,” said Silver. “The iPads allowed us to bring the questionnaires to the parents and have them complete them onsite.”
Along with iPads, the Northwestern Libraries also have many other resources available for checkout, such as laptops and audio/visual equipment. Find the full list of what’s available to borrow on the Library AV and Tech Equipment page. Need something that’s not listed? Contact a librarian!