Was this guide helpful? Users' perceptions of subject guides

doi:10.1108/00907320510597381

Login

Welcome:
Guest

Search for:

Browse:

Resources:

Reference Services Review

ISSN: 0090-7324

Online from: 1973

Subject Area: Library and Information Studies

Content: Latest Issue | Latest Issue RSS | Previous Issues

Options: To add Favourites and Table of Contents Alerts please take a Emerald profile

Was this guide helpful? Users' perceptions of subject guides

Document Information:
Title:	Was this guide helpful? Users' perceptions of subject guides
Author(s):	Martin P. Courtois, (Instructional Technology Assistance Center, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA), Martha E. Higgins, (Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA), Aditya Kapur, (Gelman Library, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA)
Citation:	Martin P. Courtois, Martha E. Higgins, Aditya Kapur, (2005) "Was this guide helpful? Users' perceptions of subject guides", Reference Services Review, Vol. 33 Iss: 2, pp.188 - 196
Keywords:	Academic libraries, Assessment, Customer satisfaction, Internet, Research, Surveys
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/00907320510597381 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – Most academic libraries make subject or research guides available on their web sites. Little is known, however, in terms of user satisfaction with guides. This study examines methods used to evaluate guides and reports on an online survey placed on each of more than 80 web-based guides provided by Gelman Library, George Washington University. Design/methodology/approach – The survey, borrowing an approach used by Amazon.com and other web sites, consisted of a single question – Was this guide useful – and a comments box. Findings – Two hundred ten responses were received during Fall semester 2003. Fifty two percent of responses rated guides as Very Helpful or Somewhat Helpful, while 40 percent gave ratings of Not Helpful or a Little Helpful. Originality/value – Although limited in scope, this simple survey revealed positive elements of the guides and identified problems that could be addressed immediately. The survey also helped to identify larger issues that will benefit from additional user input.