Assessing varied instructional approaches in the instruction of online graduate students

Distance learners, and in particular distance graduate students, can be a neglected portion of the student body; however, the library needs for this growing student group are real and important. This paper explores an Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Assessment in Action: Academic Library and Student Success project which examined two different instructional methods offered to students in an online graduate education programme. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of an online tutorial and individual contact with a librarian. The tutorial showed a statistical difference between pre- and post-test results. The limited number of students participating in the individual contact did not allow for the establishment of statistical difference, but the study did provide evidence on how to improve the current reference system.