The UK's Research Information Network (RIN) has released the final report of a two-part study that looks at how researchers in the UK use electronic journals; the value they bring to universities and research institutions; and the contribution they make to research productivity, quality and outcomes. The aim in Phase Two was to test and examine the reasons underlying the behaviours which were identified in Phase One.
Journal publishers began to provide online access to full-text scholarly articles in the late 1990s, triggering a revolution in the scholarly communications process. The report notes that a very high proportion of journal articles are now available online - 96 percent of journal titles in science, technology and medicine, and 86 percent of titles in the arts, humanities and social sciences.
The Phase One report examines how researchers interact with journal websites and whether enhanced access to journal articles has led to greater productivity, research quality and other outcomes. It finds that researchers are savvy when it comes to using e-journals, finding the information they need quickly and efficiently, and that higher spending on e-journals is linked to better research outcomes.
Based on an analysis of log files from journal websites and data from libraries in 10 universities and research institutions, the report is stated to build a clear picture of how e-journals are shaping the information landscape.
The RIN held an event on July 1, 2009 in London to discuss the report and to spark the debate on the issues raised and to inform Phase Two of the study, which has now been completed by CIBER.
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