Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Master of Information Services

School

School of Computer and Security Science

Faculty

Faculty of Computing, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Dr Mark Brogan

Abstract

In 2008 the Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia (RIMPA) organisation (then known as the Records Management Association of Australasia – RMAA) launched its Technology Survey. The survey attempted to capture a snapshot, predominantly but not exclusively in Australia and New Zealand, and gain empirical evidence about the use of technology adoption trends, RIM capabilities in host organisations and the role of RIM personnel in technology selection and adoption. The survey had a particular focus on Records Management (RM) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) systems and processes, but also featured questions on the demographics of the participants, organisational policies and processes around these technologies and peripheral devices.

In 2010 the survey was repeated. Consequently, the survey became more than a one-off cross-sectional snapshot and could lay claim to being a longitudinal study, however as a longitudinal study instrument the current survey is lacking validity and reliability. A consensus exists, however, that changes are required going forward if the survey is to continue. This consensus is based on issues that have emerged from analysis of the two iterations of the current instrument. The issues that need to be addressed are:

• Low participation rate

• The relatively high number of questions skipped

• The overall length of the survey

• Ensuring the survey has a clear and distinct aim

• Ensuring what is captured is core to the survey’s aim

• Ensuring what is captured is relevant to the RIM profession

• The ambiguity of questions

• Misunderstanding of questions

• Scope – expansion of the instrument to encompass technology learning, knowledge and skills of RIM professions

These issues were identified by Brogan and Roberts in their analyses of the 2008 and 2010 data (2009, 2011 and 2012).

This study is an examination and revision of the current technology survey instrument, aimed at ensuring that issues of relevancy, currency, usability, design and clarity of terms and definitions are all addressed, resulting in a valid and reliable longitudinal study instrument. The research design employed involved:

a) investigation of the peer reviewed literature on survey participation and instrument design;

b) investigation of peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed literature on technology in the RIM space;

c) Convening of a panel of experts (focus group) to provide feedback on the existing instrument;

d) Re-design of the existing instrument taking into account outcomes from a-c; and

e) Validation of the re-designed instrument via the Focus Group

The Focus Group review involved six highly regarded and knowledgeable participants pro-active in the RIM profession who trialled the instrument in a subsequent Pilot Test. The Focus Group provided additional feedback on scope and usability from a user perspective. The final survey produced will enable RIMPA to be informed on the technology education and training needs of its members, as well as continuing to track technology adoption and RIM program trends in the workplace.

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Change management and Focus Group log.xlsx.xlsx (101 kB)

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