DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF INFORMATION STUDIES

LIS 708: Evidence-Based Planning, Management, and Decision Making
Summer 2024

A. Instructor Information
Troy Swanson, PhD, MLIS
Library Department Chair
Teaching & Learning Librarian
Moraine Valley Community College
tswanson@dom.edu
swanson@morainevalley.edu
Office phone: 708-974-5439

B. Course Description
Introduces research concepts, principles of research design, measurement, and qualitative and
elementary quantitative data collection and analysis techniques commonly employed in library
and information settings. Covers methods and approaches for assessing library and information
services, programs, and resources with the goal of demonstrating value to the users and
constituent groups served by the organization. Emphasizes designing, planning and managing
research and assessment projects. Considers strategies to use research and assessment
findings and to communicate results.

C. Learning Outcomes
After completing this course, students will:
(MLIS Student Learning Goals & Outcomes indicated in parentheses.)
● demonstrate an understanding of the foundational concepts of research and assessment
for library and information management and practice (1a, 4a, and 4b),
● design research and assessment activities and projects, including development of an
inquiry focus, identification of data needs and sources, and selection of appropriate
methods and tools (4a, 4b, and 5c),
● analyze and interpret findings at a basic level (3b, 3c, and 4a), and
● communicate and apply research and assessment results to improve services and
professional practice (2c, 4a, 5a, 5b, and 5c).

D. Readings
Required Texts:

● Hengan, Kevin. Turning Data into Wisdom: How We Can Collaborate with Data to
Change Ourselves, Our Organizations, and Even the World. 2020
 ● Matthews, Joseph. The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services. 2nd Edition.
Libraries Unlimited, 2017.
(Available through the Rebecca Crown Library.)

The required course modules will have a few additional assigned readings.

E. Course Requirements
All assignment details listed under the “Assignments” tab in Canvas.
1. Library Service Evaluation Project
a. Library Service Evaluation Initial Overview Assignment, 15 pts
b. Library Service Evaluation Preparation Assignment, 15 pts
c. Library Service Evaluation Final Paper, 50 pts
2. Benchmark Project
a. Module 1 (15 pts)
b. Module 2 (15 pts)
c. Module 3 (15 pts)
d. Module 4: Report (30 pts)
3. 10 weekly assignments (discussion boards, quizzes, certificate uploads) (5 pts each)
4. Course assessment (15 pts)

Grading Policies and Grades

Late assignments will be reduced by 15% each week until the assignment is submitted.
Assignments are due by the end of the day (by midnight) of the day under which they are listed.
All assignments for the term must be completed by the start of the day of the term.

A 94 -100 %
A- 90 – 93 %
B+ 86 – 89 %
B 82 – 85 %
B- 78 – 81 %
C+ 74-77 %
C 70-73 %
C- 65-69%
F 0-64%

Academic Honesty and Integrity

“Students of the university must conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards
of academic honesty and integrity. Failure to maintain academic integrity will not be tolerated.”
You should be familiar with the specifics of SOIS Academic Integrity Policy described on the
School’s website at: http://sois.dom.edu/academics/studentresources/policiesandconduct.

All work must be your own, original work created for this class. Collaboration with other
students, friends, tutors, librarians, etc should be in the form of idea generation and smoothing
out mechanics. All work must be your own unless permission is granted in advance or
assignments specifically note that they are group projects. All work must conform to proper
scholarly practice in terms of acknowledging the ideas of others. Remember, the appearance
dishonesty is equivalent to dishonesty. Protect yourself. Cases of academic dishonesty will be
taken seriously and may result in failing the course.

Accommodations
Students who have a specific disability that qualifies them for academic accommodations should
contact Disability Support Services in the Dominican University Dean of Students’ office to make
an accommodations request. Once eligibility has been determined, DSS will provide students
with an Academic Accommodation Approval form to give to instructors indicating which
accommodations have been approved.

F. Course Calendar

All work must be submitted by midnight of the day listed.

Week 1: Intro and Evaluation Overview, May 6 - 12

● Due: Discussion board, May 12

Week 2: Data Informed Decision-Making, May 13 - 19

● Due: Quiz, May 19

Week 3: Intro to Library Service Evaluation Assignment, May 20 - 26

● Library Service Evaluation Initial Overview Assignment, May 26

Week 4: Methods and Tools, May 27 - June 2

● Due: LinkedIn Learning Course Certificate upload, June 2
● Due: Discussion board, June 2

Week 5: Measuring Impact, June 3 - 9

● Due: Discussion board, June 9

Week 6: Data Quality, Management, and Analysis, June 10 - 16

● Due: Quiz, June 16
Week 7: Ethics In Research, June 17 - 23
● Due: Quiz, June 23

Week 8: Data Visualization or Data Storytelling, June 24 - 30

● Due: LinkedIn Learning Course Certificate upload, June 30

Week 9: Benchmark Project Module 1, July 1 - 7

● Due: Benchmark Assignment 1, July 7

Week 10: Benchmark Project Module 2, July 8 - 14

● Due: Benchmark Assignment 2, July 14

Week 11: Benchmark Project Module 3, July 15 - 21

● Due: Benchmark Assignment 3, July 21

Week 12: Benchmark Project Module 4, July 22 - 28

● Due: Benchmark Final Report, July 28

Week 13: Library Service Evaluation Preparation, July 29 - August 4

● Due: Library Service Evaluation Preparation Assignment, August 4

Week 14: Reason, Rationality, & the Feeling of Knowing, August 5 - 11

● Due: Discussion board, August 8
● Due: Reflection on Learning, August 8

Week 15: Library Service Evaluation Final Paper, August 12 - 18

● Due: Library Service Evaluation Final Paper, August 13
● Due: Course Assessment, August 14