Sarah C. Williams

Bio: Sarah C. Williams is an academic researcher from University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. The author has contributed to research in topics: Data sharing & Federated search. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 19 publications receiving 182 citations. Previous affiliations of Sarah C. Williams include Illinois State University.

Promise Fulfilled? An EBSCO Discovery Service Usability Study

Abstract: Discovery tools are the next phase of library search systems. Illinois State University's Milner Library implemented EBSCO Discovery Service in August 2010. The authors conducted usability studies on the system in the fall of 2010. The aims of the study were twofold: first, to determine how Milner users set about using the system in order to better inform customization choices, which in turn would create better search experiences, and second, to find out whether discovery tools fix the problems of federated search. With federated search technology, users often felt frustrated by the search experience. Some reasons for the frustration included a desire for better ways to determine the relevancy of search results and for more information about the material included in the records. The authors determined that while many federated search problems were solved, some issues persisted. Overall, the move to EBSCO Discovery Service at Milner Library has been a positive experience for its users.

Student Feedback on Federated Search Use, Satisfaction, and Web Presence: Qualitative Findings of Focus Groups

Abstract: Illinois State University’s Milner Library conducted focus groups in the summer and fall of 2007 as part of its user-centered approach to implementing a federated search engine. The feedback supplemented the comments from usability testing conducted in the summer of 2006. The purpose of the focus groups was to learn about students’ use of and satisfaction with the federated search engine and to gather their ideas on how to incorporate it into the library website. The focus groups provided qualitative information that Milner Library used to guide decisions regarding website design and federated searching instruction. A list of best practices from the user perspective is also drawn from the findings. The unique aspects of this article include the use of focus groups to gather feedback on federated searching and the discussion of incorporating a federated search engine into a library website. This article is based on preliminary findings presented at the Internet Librarian 2007 conference in Monterey, California.

Research Data Services Maturity in Academic Libraries

Abstract: This book chapter was first published in: "Curating Research Data" published by the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries.

Practices, Policies, and Persistence: A Study of Supplementary Materials in Crop Science Journals

Abstract: This study compared practices and policies of 24 crop science journals to selected National Information Standards Organization/National Federation of Advanced Information Services (NISO/NFAIS) recommendations for online supplemental journal article materials. The studied recommendations include the display of supplementary materials, digital object identifiers (DOIs) for supplementary materials, and clear preservation statements regarding supplementary materials. This study also investigated missing supplementary materials on 18 of the journal websites. The findings reveal some potential roles for librarians and libraries, especially those with institutional repositories, which could better facilitate long-term access, data citation, and data reuse.

Data Practices in the Crop Sciences: A Review of Selected Faculty Publications

Abstract: This bibliographic study gathered information about the data practices of crop scientists from their publications. Two recent articles were reviewed from each faculty member in the Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. The goals of this study were to learn the common data types used in crop sciences research, to describe data reuse and sharing practices in the literature, and to highlight resources for acquiring and sharing data, especially repositories with an agricultural emphasis.

Paths of Discovery: Comparing the Search Effectiveness of EBSCO Discovery Service, Summon, Google Scholar, and Conventional Library Resources.

Abstract: In 2011, researchers at Bucknell University and Illinois Wesleyan University compared the search efficacy of Serial Solutions Summon, EBSCO Discovery Service, Google Scholar, and conventional library databases. Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered on students’ usage of these tools. Regardless of the search system, students exhibited a marked inability to effectively evaluate sources and a heavy reliance on default search settings. This article describes these results and makes recommendations for libraries considering these tools.

Disciplinary Differences in Faculty Research Data Management Practices and Perspectives

Abstract: Academic librarians are increasingly engaging in data curation by providing infrastructure (e.g., institutional repositories) and offering services (e.g., data management plan consultations) to support the management of research data on their campuses. Efforts to develop these resources may benefit from a greater understanding of disciplinary differences in research data management needs. After conducting a survey of data management practices and perspectives at our research university, we categorized faculty members into four research domains—arts and humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, and basic sciences—and analyzed variations in their patterns of survey responses. We found statistically significant differences among the four research domains for nearly every survey item, revealing important disciplinary distinctions in data management actions, attitudes, and interest in support services. Serious consideration of both the similarities and dissimilarities among disciplines will help guide academic librarians and other data curation professionals in developing a range of data-management services that can be tailored to the unique needs of different scholarly researchers.

Citations increase with manuscript length, author number, and references cited in ecology journals

Abstract: Most top impact factor ecology journals indicate a preference or requirement for short manuscripts; some state clearly defined word limits, whereas others indicate a preference for more concise papers. Yet evidence from a variety of academic fields indicates that within journals longer papers are both more positively reviewed by referees and more highly cited. We examine the relationship between citations received and manuscript length, number of authors, and number of references cited for papers published in 32 ecology journals between 2009 and 2012. We find that longer papers, those with more authors, and those that cite more references are cited more. Although paper length, author count, and references cited all positively covary, an increase in each independently predicts an increase in citations received, with estimated relationships positive for all the journals we examined. That all three variables covary positively with citations suggests that papers presenting more and a greater diversity of data and ideas are more impactful. We suggest that the imposition of arbitrary manuscript length limits discourages the publication of more impactful studies. We propose that journals abolish arbitrary word or page limits, avoid declining papers (or requiring shortening) on the basis of length alone (irrespective of content), and adopt the philosophy that papers should be as long as they need to be.