A Study of the E-Journal Usage Statistics in University Libraries
Date Issued
2012
Date
2012
Author(s)
Hsu, Chia-Chen
Abstract
With the need for current content and rapid publication, journals are generally recognized as an important collection in university libraries. Electronic journals are widely preferred by researchers because they are easily researched and downloaded. Because electronic journals cost more than other resources, the data and statistics of electronic journal usage have been comprehensively analyzed by university libraries to ensure that electronic journals deserve the majority of their resource budget. Therefore, the objectives of this study are as follows: (1) to explore the attitudes, policies, and difficulties of university libraries regarding electronic journal usage statistics; (2) to investigate the primary fields and ways university libraries apply electronic journal usage statistics and the resulting influence; and (3) to understand the perspectives and attitudes of university librarians toward the application of electronic journal usage statistics.
This study conducted 14 in-depth semi-structured interviews at 10 university libraries to investigate their current applications of electronic journal usage statistics. Based on the results, we reached the conclusions presented below.
(A) Regarding the university libraries’ electronic journal usage statistics collection policies: (1) Electronic journal usage statistics comprise the majority of library statistics. (2) University libraries value the statistics of electronic journal use, especially the “number of clicks or hits” and “number of documents downloaded.” (3) The electronic journal usage statistics collected and maintained by university libraries vary according to organizational needs. (4) University libraries continue to encounter difficulties and challenges in collecting, maintaining, and managing electronic journal usage data.
(B) Regarding the applications of electronic journal usage statistics by university libraries: (1) The application and interpretation of electronic journal usage data depend on the actual organizational needs. (2) Applying electronic journal usage statistics has disadvantages, as acknowledged by all the interviewees. (3) University libraries can benefit significantly by applying electronic journal usage statistics, especially for e-resources acquisitions and services.
(C) Regarding the university librarians’ perspectives and attitudes toward the development of electronic journal usage statistics: (1) Long-term preservation of electronic journal usage statistics data is required, as emphasized by all the interviewees. (2) The application of electronic journal usage statistics is influenced by current standards and university library policies. (3) The COUNTER Code of Practice should be used to fulfill the specific requirements of various libraries, as suggested by the interviewees.
Based on these findings, this study presents the following suggestions regarding university library electronic journal usage statistics: (1) Establish core items for electronic journal usage statistics, providing two benefits, namely an improved use of statistical data and to enable sharing among institutions. (2) Adopt a more positive attitude toward collecting and applying electronic journal usage statistics. For example, identify the relationship between electronic journal click times and full-text downloads and adjust the data collecting and analyzing system to meet each library’s specific needs for electronic journal usage statistics.
Subjects
Electronic journal usage
electronic journal statistics
electronic journal statistics standard
COUNTER
e-metrics
university library
vendor-supplied usage data
Type
thesis
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