https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/issue/feed Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice 2025-05-13T09:50:52-04:00 Kate Cummings and Roseanne Perkins palrap@mail.pitt.edu Open Journal Systems <div>A peer-reviewed, open access journal, sponsored by the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.palibraries.org/?page=CRD" target="_blank">College and Research Division of the Pennsylvania Library Association</a></span> (CRD-PaLA).</div><br /><div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.palibraries.org/general/register_member_type.asp"><strong>Membership in PaLA</strong></a></span> helps to support <em>PaLRaP.</em> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.palibraries.org/donations/donate.asp?id=10777">Donations</a></strong></span> are<em></em> also encouraged to sustain and grow this publication.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.palibraries.org/donations/donate.asp?id=10777" target="_blank"><br /></a></strong></span></div><div><hr /><div><strong>Authors:</strong> Please review the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/ojs/index.php/palrap/about/editorialPolicies" target="_blank">Section Policies</a></strong></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/ojs/index.php/palrap/about/submissions" target="_blank">Submissions Page</a></strong></span> to upload your manuscript(s). Have a news item to share? Use our new <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LWUL8re8hvFf3ZI6ftsd3MjcBcg9uG7Ccr1OOwbzvG0/viewform" target="_blank">submission form for news items</a></strong></span>.</div><hr /></div> https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/article/view/314 Table of Contents 2025-05-09T11:03:38-04:00 Roseanne Perkins rperkins@kutztown.edu 2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Roseanne Perkins https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/article/view/312 In the PaLRaP Spotlight: Emily Reed, Reference and Instruction Librarian 2025-03-18T10:47:03-04:00 Denise Wetzel daw5086@psu.edu <p>An interview with Emily Reed</p> 2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Denise Wetzel https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/article/view/303 Supporting Doctoral Research in Sociology in the BTAA 2025-01-16T10:12:32-05:00 Stephen Woods swoods@psu.edu Ruth Kitchin Tillman rkt6@psu.edu <p>The purpose of this study is to examine the core journals used by graduate students in doctoral research in sociology at 16 institutions within the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). Citation studies in dissertations are often limited to exploring core journals based on local or aggregate multi-institutional use and rarely provide metrics for comparing local use within a discipline. Our study explores the nuances of finding core journals based on local priorities and aggregate use in dissertations. It also examines how well each institution supports graduate research by examining the institutional holdings for these core lists. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> 2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Stephen Woods, Ruth Kitchin Tillman https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/article/view/306 Do More Micro-credentials Equal Better Grades? 2025-01-27T09:42:12-05:00 Emily Rimland elf113@psu.edu Anne Behler acb10@psu.edu Wendy Pothier wendy.pothier@unh.edu <p>This study investigates the impact of information literacy digital badges on student course grades. Despite the growing popularity of digital badges in higher education, empirical evidence regarding their effect on academic performance remains limited. This research aims to fill that gap by analyzing the relationship between badge earning and student success, addressing the overarching question: What is the impact of badge earning on student course grades? The study utilizes data from over 900 students who participated in the digital badge program, which offered information literacy badges as co-curricular activities. The data analysis examined correlations between the number of badges earned and student grades, as well as differences based on gender and class standing. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between earning at least one digital badge and higher course grades. The study’s findings support the potential of digital badges as a meaningful tool for enhancing student learning and success.</p> 2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Emily L. Rimland, Anne C. Behler, Wendy Pothier https://palrap.org/ojs/palrap/article/view/313 Noteworthy 2025-04-25T13:20:10-04:00 Jacob Gordon jeg6049@psu.edu 2025-05-13T00:00:00-04:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Jacob Gordon