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Browsing York University Libraries by Author "202cd65a56f4788006a4339f45f97b82"
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Item Open Access An Annotated Chronology of the History of AIDS in Toronto(Canadian Bulletin of Medical History / Bulletin canadien d'histoire de la médecine, 2005) Robertson, MarkThe purpose of this annotated chronology is to help provide a framework for research into the history of the first five years of the AIDS epidemic in Canada but especially as it unfolded in Toronto, Canada. The chronological entries can be used to identify the order and relationship of particular themes, while the sources listed in the chronology can be used as points of reference for further investigations. This chronology is primarily derived from reports in key newspapers based in the Toronto region. Each chronological entry lists the sources which reported on the particular event.Item Open Access Preference for Reference: New Options and Choices for Academic Library Users(American Library Association, 2008) Robertson, Mark; Granfield, DianeThis exploratory study investigated the help - seeking preferences of library users at two large urban universities in Toronto. Reference desk and virtual reference users were compared in terms of their perceptions of the options now available for obtaining reference help. The premise for the study was based on the assumption that a reasonable exposure to newer reference services, such as chat and email had occurred, therefore allowing for an examination of emerging preferences for different types of services. Surveys were distributed to both reference desk and virtual reference users asking seven core questions exploring use and preference for reference services as well as habits and preferences for study location (in library, off campus, etc.). The results suggest that the reference desk continues to be the most popular method of getting help in the library, but virtual reference satisfies a niche for users who prefer to work outside the library. Those who use virtual reference tend to perceive their options for getting help differently from other users. Virtual reference users do not perceive virtual reference as a novelty or as a marginal service, but see it as a signifcant service option. In addition, the results show that virtual reference services may have a special appeal to graduate students since graduate students seem more likely to conduct their research outside the library. The study concludes with recommendations for planning and for future research.Item Open Access Research Indicators(2007-12-18T20:09:57Z) Robertson, Mark; van der Bliek, RobCitation data has commonly been used by funders and administrators as a way to measure the quality and impact of research. The use of these data for this purpose is controversial since these measures disadvantage the humanities and social sciences. After a brief introduction to the sources of this data, we will be examining some of the reasons why these data are biased towards the sciences and they effect this has on York University. We will open this up to a discussion of the role of the Libraries in the measurement of research.