LogoutWelcome guest
Article Information:
Title:
Assessment of the impact of an open-URL link resolver
Author(s):
Hua Yi, Catherine S. Herlihy
Journal:
Year:
2007
Volume:
Issue:
Page:
317 - 331
ISSN:
0307-4803
DOI:
10.1108/03074800710763617
Publisher:
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Document Access:
Abstract:
Purpose – This paper seeks to report a data-driven assessment of student and faculty use of electronic scholarly resources pre- and post-implementation of an open-URL link resolver.
Design/methodology/approach – Usage data were extracted from two multidisciplinary scholarly aggregators pre- and post-implementation of an open-URL link resolver. Open-URL link resolver usage data for both aggregators were also collected and two timelines established. Statistical analysis was performed to assess direct and indirect impact.
Findings – Study results show that the implementation of an open-URL link resolver has directly contributed to usage increase in the short and long periods under study. Usage patterns also indicate the technology has indirect impact. Research implications/limitations – Limitations include one-semester limits of short-term data. Non-standardized data could be compared only within each aggregator.
Practical implications – Research outcomes provide a tool for the assessment of student/faculty use of electronic scholarly resources and Collections and Catalog librarian participation in teaching and learning. Usage data are increasingly available to librarians, so work based on research findings can be assessed.
Originality/value – This paper reports student/faculty usage data of searching activities, not their perceptions of electronic resources. Usage data demonstrate that librarians who select and provide access to electronic resources positively affect teaching and learning.
Keywords:
Academic libraries, Assessment, Electronic media, United States of America, User studies
Article Type:
Research paper