2 : Getting to know remote users

[demographics, research, remote users, Web logs]

Remote users

Research done in the UK on users' behaviour in regard to electronic resources, though not limited to remote users, has indicated some general trends.

The JUSTEIS and JUBILEE projects monitor and map the development of user behaviour with electronic information resources in higher education. Results so far [Armstrong, Rowley] show a general reliance on general Web search engines and low use of the JISC funded resources and of electronic journals. Many universities have their own subject gateways, but these too seem underused. Students don't seem to have any coherent strategy for information seeking. There are differences in behaviour between undergraduate and postgraduate students.

There are implications for information providers, but also for libraries in teaching information skills.

Some earlier research by Dalgliesh and Hall gave similar results in regard to the Web and indicated that students felt the Web was more up to date than 'library' information and had greater immediacy. They were, however, aware of the issue of the quality of web information.

Recent research [Rowland] into the information needs of part-time and distance learners suggests that many feel forced to use electronic resources and that they expect specialist services to be provided to compensate for not being able to visit libraries. Their use tends to be of the Internet in general and it is suggested they need specialist subject gateways to direct them to relevant and evaluated resources. Such gateways do exist, of course, such as in the University of London's service to distance learners and the Open University's OPEN LIBR@RY.

References

Armstrong, C & others A study of the use of electronic information systems by higher education students in the UK Program 35 (3) Jul 2001, 241-62

Armstrong, C Low ICT use by students Library Association Record 103 (6) June 2001, 358-359

Dalgleish, A & Hall, R Use and perceptions of the World Wide Web in an information-seeking environment Journal of librarianship and information science 32 (3) September 2000, 104 -116

Rowland F & Rubbert, I An evaluation of the information needs and practices of part-time and distance learning students in the context of educational and social change through lifelong learning Journal of documentation 57 (6) November 2001, 741-762

Rowley, J JISC User Behaviour Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Ariadne (30) December 2001