Suellen Adams

General Areas of Interest: Information Behavior, Information Seeking in Context
Current and recent research conducted using ethnographic methods
Dissertation Title: Information Behavior and Meaning-Making in Virtual Play Spaces: A Case Study of City of Heroes
Dissertation defended and approved July 2006
Dissertation Chair: Dr. Mary Lynn Rice-Lively

Master of Arts, 1988, University of Wisconsin—Madison, School of Library and Information Studies, Madison, WI

Areas of Emphasis: Academic Libraries and Special Libraries

Further Study 1994-95 University of Wisconsin—Madison, School of Continuing, Adult and Vocational Education, Madison, WI

3 hours of graduate credit in Adult Education

Bachelor of Arts, 1977, Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa

Major: Theatre Arts
Minor: Sociology
Additional 12 hours in Math including courses in Calculus, Statistics and Probability

Further Study, 1975 and 1984, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Various courses toward 2nd Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Research History:

Deus Ex: Creating and Experiencing Transformative Information Space in a Non-Linear Video Game

Studied how the interface and game space, particularly in a non-linear design, were created in order to give appropriate feedback to the players, and how the players reacted to that feedback, including consequences unintended by the creators
Conducted face-to-face interviews with the Executive Producer and Lead Designer of the video game Deus Ex
Conducted a focus group with some of the developers
Had follow-up e-mail correspondence with the Producer of the Playstation version of the product
Conducted online interviews with several game users around the world using a chat client, followed up by e-mail in some cases
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Hsin-Liang Chen

Further Study, 1975 and 1984, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Various courses toward 2nd Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Research History:

Deus Ex: Creating and Experiencing Transformative Information Space in a Non-Linear Video Game

Studied how the interface and game space, particularly in a non-linear design, were created in order to give appropriate feedback to the players, and how the players reacted to that feedback, including consequences unintended by the creators
Conducted face-to-face interviews with the Executive Producer and Lead Designer of the video game Deus Ex
Conducted a focus group with some of the developers
Had follow-up e-mail correspondence with the Producer of the Playstation version of the product
Conducted online interviews with several game users around the world using a chat client, followed up by e-mail in some cases
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Hsin-Liang Chen

Social aspects of online role-playing games: A pilot study

Examined social and creative reasons for players’ interest in multiplayer online role-playing games
Conducted in-depth, semi-structured online interviews using a chat client with four players of online role-playing games
In analysis I found many similarities and also enough unique behavior to classify each of the players as a separate mini-case study
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Stuart Reifel

Talking about thinking in Video Games: Information Behaviors of Self-Identified Gamers

Considered how, in their own words, respondents described their information activities regarding and during game play
Used semi-structured interview techniques
Video recorded respondents playing a game in their own homes and used the think-aloud protocol
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Laura Lein

Further ongoing research:

Working Title: Why We Do What We Do: The Role of Personality in the Selection of Questions and Methodologies

An examination of whether there is a correlation between personality, as measured by a standard instrument, and a researcher's preferred methodology
Study of scholars in LIS and education using a combination of standardized testing and interview/survey techniques
Working with Dr. Mary Lynn Rice-Lively of the University of Texas at Austin, School of Information

Working Title: Information Seeking and Use in the Transgender Community

Part of a larger study examining gender and gender attitudes among those in the transgender community
Using focus group techniques
Working as a co-researcher with Dr. Kate Peirce of Texas State University, School of Journalism, specialist in media and gender

Working Title: Archiving Virtual Play Spaces

An examination of what creators and player believe is vital to preserving the essence of virtual play spaces
Piloting with the developers of an Austin, Tx based game company
Working with Dr. Pat Galloway of the University of texas at Austin, School of Information

Teaching and Professional Experience:

June 2007-present Assistant Professor University of Rhode Island

Teaching graduate students
Using face-to-face and hybrid formats
Perform research
Courses taught seen below

January 2007-May 2007 Lecturer University of Rhode Island

Teaching graduate students
Using face-to-face and hybrid formats

Courses taught

Research and Evaluation in Library and Information Studies

Provides a survey of methods used in LIS research both quantitative and qualitative
Provides a framework to evaluate research
Explores the application of public studies and in-house action research to services and resources in different types of libraries and information agencies
Provides an understanding of research ethics
Provides the techniques necessary to design an information needs assessment

Information Design

Presents the concepts and characteristics of information design
Considers digital convergence and its effects on library and information services
Provides framework for discussing and understanding the characteristics of text, graphics, photographs, audio and video
Students plan, produce and evaluate information using text, graphics, photographs, audio and video
Students design effective, dfficient and appealing information using information design principles

Collection Development

Provides an introduction to processes, practices and problems of collection development
Provides an understanding of community analysis
Includes both theoretical and practical aspects of creating collection development policies and collections
Encourages critical thinking about issues such as copyright, intellectual freedom, etc.

September-December 2006 Adjunct Faculty University of Rhode Island

Teaching graduate students
Course being taught entirely on-line WebCT

Courses taught

Instructional Technology in Library and Information Services

Provides an introduction to instructional design
Provides an introduction to development and motivational theories
Includes experience applying the theories using emerging technologies
Provides experiences in both individual and collaborative environments

January-May 1999 Assistant Instructor University of Texas at Austin

Taught upper division undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines
Class size approximately 40
Students were ethnically diverse

Courses taught

Information in Cyberspace

Internet basics including e-mail, newsgroups, web pages and related topics
Basic Unix commands
Design and production of simple web pages using a text editor
Team design and production of simple web pages using a standard web editor

1985-1997 Instructor Madison Jr. College of Business, Madison, WI

Taught both traditional and non-traditional undergraduates, many of them first generation college students
Population included both American and International students
Developed class syllabi based on standardized texts
Class sizes ranged from 6 to 50 students

Courses taught

Introduction to Data Processing

Practical office software applications including MS Word, MS Excel, Lotus Spreadsheets
Brief introduction to MS Access and Lotus Notes

Business Statistics

Fundamentals of statistics and probability

Business Mathematics

Basic math including refresher on topics such as making reasonable estimations and working with fractions and decimals
Business Applications ranging from as simple as keeping a checkbook to as complex as interest and finance

American Government

Principles of American Government, with a small amount of American History for context

Introduction to Psychology

General principles of psychology and various psychological theories.
Research paper requirement in some aspect of abnormal psychology

Introduction to Sociology

General principles of sociology and important sociological theories
Emphasis on topics such as ethnocentrism, social norms and mores of various groups, etc. which were of particular importance to those entering the business world

Speech

Basic principles of public speaking.
The students each had to deliver 4 or 5 speeches depending on class size, including informational, persuasive and impromptu speaking
Situational speaking element in which students were presented with typical difficult workplace scenarios and asked after a few moments consultation to role-play a solution

Additional Instructional Development

Developed and helped teach a unit in the English II class that familiarized students with important library resources

1990-1994 InstructorUpper Iowa University, Madision Wisconsin Center

Taught night classes to non-traditional students
Classes met twice a week for 8-12 weeks
Developed syllabi based on standardized texts
Class sizes varied from 15 to 40

Courses taught

Introduction to the Theater

A brief overview of theater history beginning with ancient Greece.
Elements of theatrical performance
Required attendance at and critique of one live theater performance of the particular student’s choosing during the course of the semester
Class sizes varied from 15 to 40

Oral Communnication

Intermediate level public speaking course including informational, persuasive, impromptu and situational speaking
Included evaluation of communication styles and the effective use of communication in various situations

1998-present Teaching Assistant University of Texas at Austin

Course Included

Tech Skills for Academic Success

Assisted in teaching a small class of undergraduate women from a variety of backgrounds
Subject matter included topics ranging across the spectrum of tech-related subjects such as e-mail, netiquette, copyright, security and so forth
The largest class requirement was to build original websites, first with html coding and then with a simple Mozilla web editor

Introduction to Information Studies

Answered students’ questions about assignments and content both by e-mail and in person
Performed occasional website updates
Tracked students assignments and participation and reminded them of various due dates
Made use of numerous functions of the Blackboard system

Management

Tracked student assignments and participation
Answered student questions about assignments and content both by e-mail and in person
Created a document for students to use in evaluating the teams they participated in
Made use of numerous functions of the Blackboard system

Children's Literature

Wrote some of the test items
Updated test grades online under the instructor’s supervision
Assisted students with questions when they came during office hours

Introductory Research Methods

Participated in teaching a class taught in two locations via distance education
Developed and delivered the lecture on qualitative research
Worked one on one with students requiring assistance with course content such as statistical methods
Assisted in grading and evaluation

Online Information Sources

Designed and delivered exercise and brief lesson on inverted files and simple Boolean searches
Assisted in grading and evaluation

Artificial Intelligence

Provided administrative support to the instructor

1997-2003 Founding partner and Business Coordinator Westlake Interactive, Austin TX

The company was a small non-traditional computer game development company, specializing in Macintosh products with employees working out of their homes in three different states.

Wrote a column called Adams’ Apple for the web version of MacCentral magazine, which has over one million unique visitors per month
Communicated with end users of our products as often as possible both to determine the level of satisfaction with our products and as a public relations function
Served as corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Operations Officer; duties included legal paperwork, payables and receivables, payroll, employee health insurance, administration of the 401K, working with the accountant on tax matters, filing paperwork directly with income tax authorities in Arizona and Tennessee
Maintained relationships and assisted in negotiations with publishers and other corporate partners through meetings at various trade shows, phone calls and e-mail
Managed as many as 100 volunteer beta testers around the world, including recruiting, legal issues, providing testers with software and channels for reporting software issues and negotiating any issues between employees and volunteer testers
Attended trade shows at which I interacted both formally and informally with publishers, representatives of other corporations, members of the press and end users
Networked and maintained positive relationships with the press by providing press releases, general information, interviews etc.

Library Experience:

1985-1997 Librarian Madison Jr. College of Business, Madison, WI

Worked as the solo librarian in a small two year college
Provided reference services using print and limited online business and general resources
Performed copy cataloging using MARC records, when those records were unavailable or did not reflect our collection well, performed original cataloging
Provided collection development to support the learning objectives of the college
Created and maintained extensive files on topics of interest for use by students and faculty of the institution, ranging from controversial material for term paper topics to materials to provide curriculum support for the faculty. Files contained clippings, government and industry publications and so forth
Obtained free publications from the government, industry and other sources for both the collection and the files
Initiated the college’s first library automation, including a basic OPAC and an Internet station
Provided instruction to students and faculty on the use of the World Wide Web
Provided library instruction to students on such topics as finding and evaluating sources of information found in the library
Developed a wider range of resources for the students by initiating and maintaining a relationship with the local public library
Managed up to two volunteers who provided library support services
Wrote a paper depicting the small college library as a special library, including practical ideas on such topics as creating and maintaining files, creative ways to get materials and initial library automation based on 4 years of experience, which was submitted to and received favorably by Association of Independent Colleges and Schools (the accrediting agency)

Publications:

Adams. S. & K. Peirce (2006). “Is there a transgender canon? : Information seeking and use in the transgender community” Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Canadian Association of Information Science 2006, Toronto, June 1-3.

Adams, S. (2005). “ Information Behavior and the Formation and Maintenance of Peer Cultures in Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games: A Case Study of City of Heroes .” DVD Proceedings of the Digital Games Research Association Conference 2005, Vancouver , June 16-20.

Adams, S. (2005) “O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to research: Participant observation research in Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games.” (abstract). Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science.

Adams, S. (2004)“Researching the Role of Information Behavior in Creating Community in the Virtual World of the Video Game.” (abstract). Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science 28(3).

Adams, S. (2003) “Information Patterns in the World of Online Role-Playing Games: Proposed Research”(abstract). Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science, (27)4.

Book Reviews:

Adams , S. (2006). “Play Culture in a Changing World” (Book Reviews). Play Review & , Winter 2006, v30, no. 4.

Adams , S. (1999). “Librarianship and the Information Paradigm” (Book Reviews). Libraries & Culture, Summer 1999 v34, i13.

Briggs, S. (1990). “Gospel Plays for Students” (Book Reviews). Church and Synagogue Libraries, September/October 1990, v. XIV, no. 2.

Briggs, S. (1990). “Kids Who Have Too Much” (Book Reviews).Church and Synagogue Libraries, September/October 1990, v. XIV, no. 2.

Briggs, S. (1990) “Greek Apologists of the 2nd Century” (Book Reviews). Church and Synagogue Libraries, July/August 1990. v. XIV, no. 1

Presentations:

Adams , S. & Rice-Lively, M.L. (2008) “Why We Do What We Do” paper to be presented at the Association of Library and Information Science Education Conference, January 2008, Philadelphia, PA

Adams , S. & Burke, M. (2007) “The Effect of New Literacies on Information Literacy” paper to be presented at the Georgia Conference on Information Literacy, October 2007, Savannah, GA

Adams , S. (2007) “Information Behavior and Meaning-Making in Virtual Play Spaces: A Case Study of City of Heroes” paper presented at the Interaction with Immersive Worlds Conference, June 2007, St Catharines, ONT, Canada

Adams , S. (2007) “Communing with Man and the Gods: The Nature of Play in Virtual Play Spaces” paper presented at the Association for the Study of Play Conference, Rochester, NY April 2007

Adams. S. (2006 written with Peirce, K.) “Is There a Transgender Canon? : Information Seeking and Use in the Transgender Community” paper presented June

Internet basics including e-mail, newsgroups, web pages and related topics
2006 at the Canadian Association for Information Science, Toronto, ONT, CANADA.

Adams , S. (2006) “Elements of Information Behavior inVirtual Play Spaces” paper presented at the Popular Culture/American Culture Conference, April 2006, Atlanta, GA

Adams , S. (2006) " Information in an Alternate Universe: The Simultaneous Study of the

'Real' and the 'Artificial' in Virtual Play Spaces" presented at SW/TX Popular Culture Association Conference, Feb. 2006, Albuquerque , NM

Adams, S. (2006) “An everything all-at-once shout” Work-in-Progress poster presented at Association for Library and Information Science Education, January 2006, San Antonio, TX

Adams, S. (2005). “ Information Behavior and the Formation and Maintenance of Peer Cultures in Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games: A Case Study of City of Heroes .” Paper presented at the Digital Games Research Association Conference 2005, Vancouver , BC , CANADA

Adams, S. (2005). “O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to research: Participant observation research in Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games.” Paper presented at Connections 2005, The 10 th Great Lakes Information Studies Conference, Montreal, PQ, CANADA

Adams, S. (2005). “Information behavior theory and play theory: Do they influence group formation and maintenance in MMORPGs?” Paper presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Conference, San Diego, CA

Adams, S. (2005). “Meaning-making, play theory and peer culture in Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games : Playing with identity, creating community…life in the MMORPGs.” Paper presented at The Association for the Study of Play Conference, Santa Fe, NM

Adams, S. (2005). “Meaning-making, play theory and peer culture in Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs).” Paper presented at the SW/TX Popular Culture Association Convention, Albuquerque, NM

Adams, S. (2005). “Information behavior theory and play theory: Do they influence group formation and maintenance in MMORPGs?” Poster presented at the Association of Library and Information Science Education, Boston, MA

Adams, S. (2004). “The Role of Information Behavior in Group Formation and Maintenance in the Context of Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games.” Poster presented at the Information Seeking in Context Conference, Dublin, IRELAND

Letalien, B. & Adams, S. (2004) “Interactivity and Democracy: Towards an Understanding of Political Participation in Digital and Virtual Space.” International Association for Media and Communication Research conference, Porto Alegre, BRAZIL

Adams, S. (2004) “Self, Community and Information in Multiplayer Online Games : A pilot study and proposal for further research.” Paper Presented at the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association Joint Conference, San Antonio, TX

Adams, S. (2004) “Researching the Role of Information Behavior in Creating and Maintaining Community in the Virtual World of the Video Game: A Proposal.” Paper presented at Connections 2004, The 9 th Great Lakes Information Studies Conference, Toronto, ONT, CANADA

Adams, S. & Letalien, B. (2004) “Interactivity, Interaction and Interpretation in Video Games and Television: A Discourse Analysis.” Paper presented at the Transparencies Conference, Austin, TX

Adams, S. (2004) “Information Behavior in Video Game Worlds: Evolving Research.” Poster session presented at the Association of Library and Information Science Education, San Diego, CA

Adams, S. (2003) “Information Patterns in the World of Online Role-Playing Games: Proposed Research.” Paper presented at the Connections 8 Conference, Long Island, NY

Adams, S. (2003) “Talking about thinking in video games: Information behaviors of self-identified gamers.” Poster session presented at the Association of Library and Information Science Education, Philadelphia, PA

Briggs, S. (1995). “What is this thing called the World Wide Web?” Presentation to the Madison Chapter of the National Secretaries Association, Madison, WI

Briggs, S. (1994). “Discovering your communication style, and dealing with others’.” Presentation at the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians, Brookfield, WI

Committee Work:

Student member of the Doctoral Studies committee, School of Information, University of Texas at Austin, 2002-2003
Committee member and publicity chair for the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians Annual Conference, 1994
Committee member and co-chair for exhibits for the Wisconsin

Professional Affiliations:

American Educational Research Association
American Library Association
American Society of Information Science and Technology
Association of Computing Machinery
Association of Library and Information Science Education
Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
Church and Synagogue Libraries Association
Digital Games Research Association
International Game Developers Association
Learning Games Initiative
Popular Culture/American Culture Association
Special Libraries Association
SW/TX Popular Culture Association
The Association for the Study of Play

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI 02881,

USA 1-401-874-1000