[Eril-l] Database usage metrics

[Harker, Karen]

For most databases, we use the measure of record clicks and abstract/record views, and reports of full-text views/downloads.  If they provide this data with COUNTER reports (DB1 and JR1), great!  Otherwise, we use the vendor’s own reports.  Sessions & searches are particularly meaningless with the database portals (e.g. ProQuest & EBSCO).  If the database has its own interface, then these measures can provide some insight into usage, especially if there are relatively few results used for each search.

Now, the Discovery system does throw a monkey wrench into usage of the indexing aspects of the databases.  I’m really hoping that the vendors can provide a solution to this problem.  We take that into account when we analyze database usage, particularly the A&I’s with limited or no full-text.  But it is a confounder to the usage trends of these resources.

Karen R. Harker, MLS, MPH
Collection Assessment Librarian
University of North Texas Libraries
1155 Union Circle, #305190
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
940-565-2688
http://librariesareforuse.wordpress.com



From: Eril-l [mailto:eril-l-bounces at lists.eril-l.org] On Behalf Of Tim Pellett
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2016 1:26 PM
To: eril-l at lists.eril-l.org
Subject: [Eril-l] Database usage metrics

I would like to know what metrics other libraries are using to report database usage, especially those using a discovery service. Has your library moved away from propriety reports and moved to Counter 4 or using a mixture of both for any given vendor?

Traditionally we have recorded sessions and searches but are over inflated with implementation of discovery product and no longer helpful. As a result, looking to adopt full-text and abstract views and possibly some Counter4 metrics.

Realize this is not a new problem and your situation and metrics provided and used can vary based on database vendor and discovery product.

Thanks!

--
----------------
Tim Pellett
Library Support Specialist
Maine InfoNet, University of Maine
Phone: 207.581.3086
http://support.maineinfonet.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.eril-l.org/pipermail/eril-l-eril-l.org/attachments/20160212/d4cc98a1/attachment-0001.html>