A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model

Purpose: Given the importance of assessing the quality of public libraries and their different services, this study aimed to comprehensively review the existing research in this field and present the findings in the form of a meta-analysis. The primary goal of this meta-analysis was to combine and c...

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Main Authors: Reza Karimi, Mohammad Asadzadehbaghi
Format: Article
Language:fas
Published: Iran Public Libraries Foundation 2024-03-01
Series:تحقیقات اطلاع‌رسانی و کتابخانه‌های عمومی
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Online Access:http://publij.ir/article-1-2474-en.pdf
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author Reza Karimi
Mohammad Asadzadehbaghi
author_facet Reza Karimi
Mohammad Asadzadehbaghi
author_sort Reza Karimi
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: Given the importance of assessing the quality of public libraries and their different services, this study aimed to comprehensively review the existing research in this field and present the findings in the form of a meta-analysis. The primary goal of this meta-analysis was to combine and compare the results of studies conducted on public libraries using the LibQUAL model through statistical meta-analysis methods to achieve applicable and cohesive results. Methodology: This research employed a library-based data collection approach and a meta-analysis technique for data analysis. The statistical population of this study included studies conducted on public libraries using the LibQUAL model from 2009 to 2020. A total of 25 articles and theses available in scientific databases were selected, and after evaluation based on inclusion criteria, 17 studies with a defined population, sample size, sampling method, and usage of the LibQUAL model were analyzed. Data collection tools included relevant studies and a meta-analysis coding form. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (CMA 2) was used for calculating coefficients. Findings: According to the funnel plot and Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation method, there was no publication bias in the reviewed studies. Additionally, the Q index for six research variables and overall I2 statistic indicators indicated that the studies are heterogeneous. The adjusted standardized difference between the maximum and received mean effect sizes, considering the random model, showed large effect sizes and negative differences of -1.13 in the service effect at maximum, medium effect size and positive difference of +0.66 in the service effect at minimum, large effect size and negative difference of -2.2 in information access at maximum, large effect size and negative difference of -0.14 in information access at minimum, large effect size and negative difference of -2 in the library as a place at maximum, and large effect size and negative difference of -0.02 in the library as a place at minimum. Overall, the total maximum effect size was large with a negative difference of -1.77, and the total minimum effect size was large with a positive difference of +0.16. Originality/Value: The results indicate that public libraries, except in the minimum service variable, perform poorly in all variables and fail to meet the minimum expectations of public library users. They do not offer satisfactory and ideal services in almost all dimensions. Additionally, given the substantial sample size and low error rate in studies on these three variables according to Cohen's d index, the findings of research on public libraries using the LibQUAL tool can be considered highly reliable. It is suggested that public library institutions focus more on information and communication technologies and related equipment to facilitate access, create websites, provide printed journals and electronic resources and meet user needs to achieve the highest level of user satisfaction.
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series تحقیقات اطلاع‌رسانی و کتابخانه‌های عمومی
spelling doaj-art-75ee41d9dbd24d2f96039b76b0b266832024-11-25T07:06:17ZfasIran Public Libraries Foundationتحقیقات اطلاع‌رسانی و کتابخانه‌های عمومی2645-57302645-61172024-03-013014865A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL ModelReza Karimi0Mohammad Asadzadehbaghi1 Associate Prof., Department of Knowledge and Information Science, Qom University, Qom, Iran University Of Qom Purpose: Given the importance of assessing the quality of public libraries and their different services, this study aimed to comprehensively review the existing research in this field and present the findings in the form of a meta-analysis. The primary goal of this meta-analysis was to combine and compare the results of studies conducted on public libraries using the LibQUAL model through statistical meta-analysis methods to achieve applicable and cohesive results. Methodology: This research employed a library-based data collection approach and a meta-analysis technique for data analysis. The statistical population of this study included studies conducted on public libraries using the LibQUAL model from 2009 to 2020. A total of 25 articles and theses available in scientific databases were selected, and after evaluation based on inclusion criteria, 17 studies with a defined population, sample size, sampling method, and usage of the LibQUAL model were analyzed. Data collection tools included relevant studies and a meta-analysis coding form. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (CMA 2) was used for calculating coefficients. Findings: According to the funnel plot and Begg and Mazumdar's rank correlation method, there was no publication bias in the reviewed studies. Additionally, the Q index for six research variables and overall I2 statistic indicators indicated that the studies are heterogeneous. The adjusted standardized difference between the maximum and received mean effect sizes, considering the random model, showed large effect sizes and negative differences of -1.13 in the service effect at maximum, medium effect size and positive difference of +0.66 in the service effect at minimum, large effect size and negative difference of -2.2 in information access at maximum, large effect size and negative difference of -0.14 in information access at minimum, large effect size and negative difference of -2 in the library as a place at maximum, and large effect size and negative difference of -0.02 in the library as a place at minimum. Overall, the total maximum effect size was large with a negative difference of -1.77, and the total minimum effect size was large with a positive difference of +0.16. Originality/Value: The results indicate that public libraries, except in the minimum service variable, perform poorly in all variables and fail to meet the minimum expectations of public library users. They do not offer satisfactory and ideal services in almost all dimensions. Additionally, given the substantial sample size and low error rate in studies on these three variables according to Cohen's d index, the findings of research on public libraries using the LibQUAL tool can be considered highly reliable. It is suggested that public library institutions focus more on information and communication technologies and related equipment to facilitate access, create websites, provide printed journals and electronic resources and meet user needs to achieve the highest level of user satisfaction.http://publij.ir/article-1-2474-en.pdfmeta-analysislibqualpublic libraries
spellingShingle Reza Karimi
Mohammad Asadzadehbaghi
A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
تحقیقات اطلاع‌رسانی و کتابخانه‌های عمومی
meta-analysis
libqual
public libraries
title A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
title_full A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
title_fullStr A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
title_full_unstemmed A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
title_short A Meta-Analysis of Studies on Quality Assessment of Public Libraries Using the LibQUAL Model
title_sort meta analysis of studies on quality assessment of public libraries using the libqual model
topic meta-analysis
libqual
public libraries
url http://publij.ir/article-1-2474-en.pdf
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