Conceptualizing the information seeking of college students on the autism spectrum through participant viewpoint ethnography

• Published in: Library & information science research 2018-07, Vol.40 (3-4), p.269-276
• Main Authors: Everhart, Nancy, Escobar, Kristie L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autism; College students; Ethnography; Information seeking behavior; Librarians; Student attitudes
• ISSN: 0740-8188; 1873-1848
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2018.09.009

Due to increased numbers of diagnoses, targeted programs and initiatives, more students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are attending college (Heflin & Isbell, 2012; Zager & Alpern, 2007) but academic librarians and their staffs have not been trained to optimally serve this growing population. Utilizing wayfinding, think aloud protocol (TAP), retrospective think aloud protocol (RTAP), and a wearable camera, the actions, thoughts and feelings of a student with ASD and a neurotypical peer are evidenced as they navigate their campus library in search of materials. The library website, virtual maps to resource locations, and library workers served equally as enablers and barriers to both students in their information seeking. This study demonstrates that participant viewpoint ethnography is a viable research methodology for both neurotypical college students and those with autism. •Participant viewpoint ethnography, using a wearable camera, can be a useful data collection method with students with ASD.•Results of information seeking between a neurotypical student and one with ASD were similar but used different approaches.•There is a need for first-person accounts of information seeking for college students on the autism spectrum.