Methodology
Sample Population
The sample population consists of 1059 Staff and students of Western Illinois University Library. The population consists of the university’s library staff totaling 59 administrative, library specialists, library assistants, professors, instructors, and graduate assistants. The research randomly selects 1000-student population from those attending the Fall Semester of 2012 (Frerichs, 2008). The selection of this population is through simple random sampling method. The intention is to select 1000 students from 10,263 undergraduate students and 1,942 graduate students (Frerichs, 2008). The sampling will use random numbers selected from a random number table, to assist in randomly selecting 1000 students from a table of 12,205 admission numbers of graduate and undergraduate students. The advantage of this method is that it will reduce error in sampling since the numbers selected a mutually exclusive because the sampling of each student is once (Frerichs, 2008). Therefore, research site is Western University of Illinois.
Research Instrument
The research will make use of questionnaire survey to gather data from the sample population. Questionnaires are an objective way of collecting data about beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behavior of people (Boynton and Greenhalgh, 2004). The questionnaire validation is by sampling of the population, to reduce errors in the data collection process. In order for them to be effective, randomized trials of students of WIU are useful, to test the questionnaires effectiveness and applicability to the research questions and population (Frerichs, 2008). The questionnaire adopts a realistic approach or a scientific analysis approach to gather facts about the use and implementation of RFID technology in WIU’s library. This research makes use of this research instrument since it is cheap and easy to produce and implement. In order for research and the data collected to be valid, the questionnaire will have uniform and similar questions administered on all participants (Boynton and Greenhalgh, 2004). A few open-ended questions in the questionnaire will ensure participants give their opinions of RFID technology. Closed ended questions with multiple-choice answers will create quantitative data for research. These are applicable for this research since they reduce response time, data analysis, and processing time especially for a large population. Credibility of the research is by having the questionnaire’s questions based on the research questions and objectives (Boynton and Greenhalgh, 2004). However, the questions are clear and simple, to make it easier for the respondents to follow and for the researcher to obtain exact results. For maximum response, the administration of the questionnaires to library staffs is during their working hours, and to students, to give them time to fill in at their convenience.
The questionnaire will entail 10 questions, with the first three collecting demographic data of the sample population, which entails role to WIU either the student or staff. The next five questions will ask the use of RFID technology implementation in the library, its role or functions, and effectiveness in terms of cost, ease of use, and functionality. There will be a question to evaluate the effectiveness of technology in comparison to the barcode system. the tenth question is on the size of the library as a determinant of the use of technology, in the opinion of the staff.
Resources Needed
The creation, testing, and production of the questionnaires require stationery, computer, and printing resources. Data processing, production, analysis, and presentation will require statistical measures like SPSS program and personal computer.
Data Collection and Analysis
Data collection will entail several steps, with the first is the administration of questionnaires to the sample population, along with the introductory letter explaining the importance of the research to the sample population. Where physical contact is not possible, the administration of questionnaires is through mail services, to reach as many respondents as possible. The next process is the collection of questionnaires, organization, and presentation of data, data processing, and storage. Data for each research question will be collected based on the method described below.
| No. | Question | Method |
| 1. | What is your current role at WIU? | Multiple choice: graduate, undergraduate, library staff, teaching staff, other |
| 2. | Which technology do you prefer, RFID or barcode device? | Multiple choice: 1-RFID or 2-Barcode Device |
| 3. | From your experience with RFID, what easiness of use is the key factor affecting your choice? | Open-ended |
| 4. | How effective is RFID in easing check-in and check-out items? | Multiple choice: 1-very useful; 2-useful; 3-moderate; 4-not useful; 5-none |
| 5. | How effective has RFID technology overcome the problem of sabotage of library items by malicious individuals as was common with the barcode system? | Multiple choice: 1-very useful; 2-useful; 3-moderate; 4-not useful; 5-none |
| 6. | How effective is RFID technology at assisting in tracking of materials and items in and out of the library? | Multiple choice: 1-very useful; 2-useful; 3-moderate; 4-not useful; 5-none |
| 7. | How effective has RFID technology reduced the amount of losses on library items? | Multiple choice: 1-very useful; 2-useful; 3-moderate; 4-not useful; 5-none |
| 8. | To what extent has RFID technology improved your ability as a staff to improve the quality of service? | Multiple choice: 1-very useful; 2-useful; 3-moderate; 4-not useful; 5-none |
| 9. | Is RFID’s high cost a key factor in affecting the choice of the technology in the library? | Multiple choice: 1-Yes or 2-No |
| 10. | Is WIU’s library size the key factor affecting your choice of RFID? | Multiple choice: 1-Yes or 2-No |
The data analysis method makes use of both qualitative and quantitative processes. Analysis of quantitative data from the closed-ended questions is by statistical measures like the measures of central tendency and dispersion (Lieber, 2009). Since the research will sample of the population, there is no need for determining the confidence level or the regression of the population. Analysis of qualitative data arising from the open-ended questions is through qualitative methods like interpretation and discussion (Lieber, 2009). Discussion and comparison of the data from the survey questionnaires to the literature review ensures the identification of the level of satisfaction of the research objectives and problem statement.
Ethical Considerations
Confidentiality using anonymity in the questionnaire ensures maintenance of respondents’ integrity. An introduction letter seeks consent from respondents and permission for the survey from administration.
References
Boynton, P.M. and Greenhalgh, T. (2004). Selecting, Designing, and Developing Your Questionnaire. British Medical Journal 328(7451), 1312-1315. Retrieved 19 November 2012 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC420179/.
Frerichs, R.R. (2008). Rapid Surveys: Simple Random Sampling. Retrieved 19th November 2012 from http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/rapidsurveys/RScourse/RSbook_ch3.pdf.
Lieber, E. (2009). Mixing Qualitative And Quantitative Methods: Insights Into Design And Analysis Issues. (Lithuanian). Journal Of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, 3(4), 218-227.
