Connecting theory to practice: using the community of inquiry theoretical framework to examine library instruction

Abstract

This design-based research study of library instruction was developed using the Community of Inquiry theoretical framework. Three different instructional approaches were developed and evaluated as part of this study: the one-shot session approach, the partially embedded librarian approach and the fully embedded librarian approach. Surveys, interviews and journaling were used to gather data from faculty, undergraduate students and the researcher–librarian about their experiences. This research study is unique given the combined use of design-based research methodology and the Community of Inquiry theoretical framework to collaboratively design and evaluate library instruction.