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Electronic vs. Paper Journal Use: Does Format Affect Information Seeking?
Nila A. Sathe, M.A., M.L.I.S. Assistant Director,
Information, Education, and Research Services, Eskind Biomedical Library,
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee;
Jenifer L. Grady, M.S.L.S. Assistant Director
for Informatics, Meharry Medical College Library, Meharry Medical College,
Nashville, Tennessee;
Deborah H. Broadwater, M.S.L.S. Assistant
Director for Collection Development, Eskind Biomedical Library, VUMC, Nashville,
Tennessee;
Nunzia B. Giuse, M.D., M.L.S. Director, Eskind
Biomedical Library, VUMC, Nashville, Tennessee.
PURPOSE: To begin investigating the impact of electronic journals on information seeking, we conducted a pilot journal use study to test the hypothesis that patrons use paper and electronic journals differently. Our previous use studies indicated that novel methods of accessing paper-based information changed the ways patrons used journals; thus, we posited that the electronic journal, a novel format, is also changing the way patrons acquire information.
METHODOLOGY: To understand better usage patterns of journals, we designed a two-pronged survey. We placed fifteen high-use paper titles also available in electronic format behind the circulation desk; patrons were asked to complete a survey upon requesting a journal. We also conducted a parallel survey of patrons using library computers. Both surveys asked patrons to identify themselves by user category and queried them about their journal use.
RESULTS: During the month-long study patrons completed sixty-nine surveys of electronic journal use and ninety surveys of paper journal use. Results analysis indicated that fellows, students, and residents preferred electronic journals. Attending physicians and faculty preferred paper journals. Patrons used paper journals for reading articles and scanning contents; they employed electronic journals for printing articles and checking references. Patrons considered electronic journals to be easier to access, search, and print than paper journals. Patrons noted, however, that paper journals had higher quality text and figures.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study is a preliminary
step in examining how electronic journals affect information seeking and
the serendipitous discovery of information. Our data revealed that
different patron categories used paper and electronic journals for different
purposes; there were also distinct preferences in format among categories.
In addition to collection management implications for libraries, this data
also has implications for publishers and educators; clearly, current electronic
formats do not facilitate browsing and other types of uses and thus may
be influencing the process of discovery as well.