Introducing the READ Scale: Qualitative Statistics for Academic Reference Services

Abstract

The article describes the concept, methodology, data gathering and study expansion using the Reference Effort Assessment Data (READ) scale developed at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. READ Scale pertains to a tool for recording vital supplemental qualitative statistics gathered when reference librarians assist users with their inquiries or research-related activities. The scale is easy to use compared with the traditional method of gathering reference statistics.