Electronic journals: are they really used?

Abstract

Purpose

To quantify the usage of electronic journals as an aid to making judgements on the use of document supply.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed analysis was made of the use of OHIOLink as well as the Blackwell Synergy, ScienceDirect, emeraldinsight, and OUP databases by CIBER at University College London.

Findings

Many more people are accessing electronic journals than was previously the case in a print environment. Users are searching more widely as linking becomes easier and abstracts are becoming increasingly popular.

Research limitations/implications

More research could be done on the use of abstracts together with further evaluation of usage at article level by title.

Practical implications

Massive usage of the databases analysed is significantly affecting the use of information by researchers.

Originality/value

This article presents an example of “deep log” analysis that sheds valuable light on the actual as distinct from perceived use of electronic full text databases

Citation

Nicholas, D. and Huntington, P. (2006), "Electronic journals: are they really used?", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 74-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641610610669723