Abstract
This thesis is an attempt to describe and interpret the development and use of learning resource centres in departments of science and engineering. After an overview of the thesis (chapter I), it first concentrates on the concept of evaluation, contrasting the traditional approach with more recent approaches, (chapter II), Next, the methodology employed in the research is analysed (chapter III); and the existing knowledge on resource centres is reviewed through the published literature, (chapter IV), A description of learning resource centres is then presented (chapter V): how they started, how the; operate, and how they are influenced by other departmental activities. The chapter also includes a description of the kind of learning resources-housed in these centres and their use, and what staff and students regard as their advantages and disadvantages, In order to provide examples of the complex situation described in chapter V, three centres, which were studied in depth, are presented as case studies (chapters VI, VII and VIII), These case studies document what it is like for staff and students, to be involved in a departmental learning resource centre and illustrate the feelings of their advocates and opponents as well as presenting students' supportive and critical reactions. Following this the thesis moves on to present the common features and differences amongst learning centres (chapter IX), including what those directly involved perceived as advantages and disadvantages and the impact that such centres have had on teaching and learning. A number of suggestions as to how centre staff may study or review their own centres are given in chapter. Finally those features which appeared to be relatively most significant are presented together with some recommendations regarding the improvement of the services provided by the centres.