| dc.description.abstract | Our research question was: What is the current perception of Dalhousie University
students regarding the built environment of study spaces on Studley campus? To test our
research question, we developed a 10-question survey focusing on students preferences and
perceptions of the built environment. This allowed us to deepen our knowledge of student
understanding of their relationship to the built environment, as well as gain insight into the
strengths and shortcomings of study spaces on Dalhousie’s Studley campus.
Our results indicate that most students prefer studying at either the Killam Library or
the Wallace McCain Learning Commons. The majority of students surveyed choose their
study space based upon: a) low noise; b) available seating; and c) access to power outlets;
with less than 50% considering natural lighting. When asked what could be improved about
Dalhousie’s Studley Campus Study spaces, the top three factors were: a) available seating; b)
natural light; and c) availability of power outlets. Our analysis also found that the majority of
students feel that their productivity, anxiety, and stress are greatly influenced by the study
spaces they use.
Overall, the results of our survey offered several key findings. First, the factors that
the majority of students consider when choosing a study space do not directly reflect the
factors deemed most important in the literature. This tells us that students may not be
choosing study spaces that will best support their productivity and mental wellbeing. Second,
students believe that Dalhousie’s Studley campus is lacking in several of the factors deemed
most important by the literature for supporting productivity and mental-wellbeing. We
therefore must ask if students do not prioritize these factors because they do not care about
them, do not recognize their benefits, or because they do not feel they can be met given the
current facilities.
These findings can be used to aid Dalhousie University in improving current study
spaces, as well as the creation of new ones. Dalhousie University should target the mostpopular
study spaces, including the Killam Library and Wallace McCain Learning Commons
for improvements, and should focus on improving the factors deemed important by students
and found in need of improvement, including available seating, access to power outlets, low
noise, and increased natural light. By not only considering the literature, but also the needs
and concerns of current Dalhousie students, the university will be more able to prioritize
funds and resources for the built-environment factors that matter most. | en_US |
