Online Discussion 1

Empirical observations: College Library at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is more crowded in the first two weeks of December than in the first two weeks of September. Theory 1: Institutional Design The second theory involves institutional design, which refers to the formal structures and rules that guide behavior, such as schedules or laws. In this case, the academic calendar, which schedules exams and major assignments in December, drives students to use the library more frequently during this period. Hypothesis 1.1: If Theory 2 is correct, then we should observe that students are checking out more study guides and reference materials from the library in December compared to September, to prepare for final exams or major assignments. Hypothesis 1.2: If Theory 2 is correct, then we should observe that the types of materials checked out in December, shift with an increase in study aids such as exam review books and practice tests compared to September. Testing the Hypotheses: Hypothesis 1.1: Obtain the library checkout records for study guides, reference materials, and other relevant items for both September and December and compare the total number of checkouts in December to that in September. If there is a significant increase in the checkout of study materials in December relative to September, this would confirm the hypothesis, indicating that students are utilizing library resources more in response to academic pressures. Conversely, if the checkout rates remain constant or decrease in December, this would disconfirm the hypothesis, suggesting that students are not relying on the library for exam preparation. Hypothesis 1.2: Examine the library's checkout records and focus on specific categories of materials, such as exam review books, study guides, and practice tests, and collect data on the number of checkouts in December versus September. From here, assess the change in the checkout frequency of these specific materials between the two months to determine if there's an increase in December. If the checkout logs indicate a notable rise in study aids being borrowed in December relative to September, this would confirm the hypothesis, demonstrating that students are actively preparing for assessments. However, if the data shows that the checkout of these materials remains steady or decreases, this would disconfirm the hypothesis, indicating that students may not be utilizing the library's resources for exam preparation. Anticipated Findings and Conclusions: Hypothesis 1.1: I predict a noticeable uptick in the checkout of study guides and reference materials in December compared to September. If confirmed, this would demonstrate that students are responding to academic pressures by utilizing library resources more actively. However, if checkout rates remain stable or decrease, it would suggest a disconnect between academic demands and library usage. Hypothesis 1.2: I expect an increase in checkouts of specific materials like exam review books during December. Confirmation of this hypothesis would indicate that students are strategically seeking resources for their studies in line with the academic calendar. On the other hand, a lack of increased checkout rates would imply that the institutional structure may not effectively compel students to use the library for exam preparation. Theory 2: Social Media Influence and Academic Practices This theory argues that the increased library attendance in December is not only driven by traditional academic practices but also significantly influenced by social media content, specifically that of short-form videos on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok. During finals season, students are often exposed to a plethora of inspirational and educational videos that, in a sense, romanticize studying, share productivity tips, and promote academic practices. This online culture fosters a narrative around the importance of hard work and collaboration, which in turn, compels students to visit the library as they seek to emulate these behaviors and maximize their study potential. Hypothesis 2.1: If Theory 1 is correct, then we should observe that a significant number of students report being motivated to study in the library due to inspirational short-form video content during December compared to September. Hypothesis 2.2: If Theory 1 is correct, then we should observe an increase in mentions and hashtags related to study rituals, library use, or finals preparation in the context of short-form video content during December, indicating that these online trends are influencing students' behaviors and encouraging collaborative study practices. Testing the Hypotheses: Hypothesis 2.1: To test this hypothesis, surveys will be conducted in December and September, asking students if short-form video content motivated their decision to study in the library. If a higher percentage of students in December cite this form of content as a motivator, this would confirm the hypothesis. Conversely, if fewer or the same percentage of students report this influence, the hypothesis would be disconfirmed. Hypothesis 2.2: To test this hypothesis, analyze the trends in social media content focusing on posts that mention study-related hashtags during both months. If there is a marked increase in posts and engagement related to studying and library attendance in December compared to September, this would confirm the hypothesis, suggesting that short-form video content plays a significant role in shaping students' academic behaviors. If the trends do not show an increase, this would disconfirm the hypothesis. Anticipated Findings and Conclusions: Hypothesis 2.1: I anticipate that a significant proportion of students in December will report being motivated to study in the library due to inspirational short-form video content. Should this hypothesis be confirmed, it would highlight the substantial influence of social media on students’ academic behaviors during finals season. Conversely, if fewer students cite this influence or if the percentages remain unchanged, it suggests that social media does not significantly drive library attendance. Hypothesis 2.2: I expect to see an increase in social media engagement with study-related hashtags during December. Confirmation of this hypothesis would indicate that trends in shortform video content actively shape student behaviors, encouraging collaborative study practices. However, a lack of increase in these mentions would imply that online influences may not significantly impact library usage.