Dear Ann,
Jill Taylor-Roe and myself at Newcastle University (UK) have been using
Benchmarking Techniques
to look at usage data.
A paper, derived from Jill's talk as UKSG this year, and published in
the July edition of "Serials" will explain the background.
Basically there are two aspects to the methodology:
* Collecting/processing the data from publishers, agents and
aggregators, both COUNTER and non-COUNTER
* Data Analysis - populating Key Performance Indicators for collection
management info, and assessing benefit to cost of e-js.
We are hoping to run a "how to" colloquium in the autumn to discuss and
develop
this and other methodologies, and develop best practice, especially in
the light of new initiatives to automate the collection process.
We are working with a local software company to facilitate this
automation, but are also looking at other commercial solutions. It all
depend on costs, and crucially the flexibility offered by each program.
We favour an in-house database approach which stores XML (usage) data.
This can easily be customised: KPI population, usage reports, financial
management, web pages which can be interrogated by other library staff,
or exported to the Campus Management System and so on.
(Incidentally there could be a very elegant and labour free way to
collect the data using "Web Services" technology, but this would need
input from publishers and COUNTER so it's way off).
I'm guilty so far of only employing empirical methods.
Analysing qualitative data should ideally be an integral part of any
methodology.
It's time really to benchmark stats from a co-operative of similar
universities.
This would give a large analysable? data set on which to hang some best
practise guidelines.
Please do contact me if you want more details.
Regards.
Cliff.
===
>-----Original Message-----
>From: An informal open list set up by the UK Serials Group
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann Charlton
>Sent: 23 June 2005 16:29
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Current applications for electronic journal and
>database usagestatistics
>
>Dear all,
>
>I am currently involved in the collation and dissemination of
>usage statistics within our institution. Could I ask what
>procedures and applications other institutions currently have in place?
>
>Is anyone considering purchasing a commercial solution to
>usage statistics collection and dissemination?
>
>Many thanks,
>Ann
>
>
>*********************************************************
>Ann Charlton
>Electronic Resources & Systems Support Officer Research &
>Learning Resources Information Services Hallward Library
>University of Nottingham University Park Nottingham
>NG7 2RD
>
>Tel: 0115 846 7381
>Fax: 0115 951 4558
>
>[log in to unmask]
>
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