Evaluation of digital libraries of Iranian research institutions based on the DigiQUAL protocol

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the situation of evaluating Iranian digital libraries using DigiQUAL protocol.

Design/methodology/approach

Evaluative survey research method is used in this study to assess digital libraries. In this way, digital libraries of Iranian research institutes constitute the study population. DigiQUAL protocol actually was used to evaluate eight Iranian digital libraries. Systematic observation and interview based on researcher-made checklist was used for data collection. In fact, checklist was constructed based on DigiQual protocol.

Findings

The results showed that Digital Library of Isfahan Science and Technology Town has the best performance and Noor digital library has the lowest operation in studied digital libraries. The overall score of all studied digital libraries was under 60 (out of 100) which shows the average performance of the digital libraries.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes on evaluating active digital libraries in Iran by DigiQUAL protocol. Because digital libraries are new in Iran and their progress need to evaluate their activity, this research was done to demonstrate their situation.

Citation

Alipour-Hafezi, M. and Amanollahi Nick, H. (2015), "Evaluation of digital libraries of Iranian research institutions based on the DigiQUAL protocol", The Electronic Library, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 824-841. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2013-0131