Users' behaviour patterns in academic libraries' OPACs: a multivariate statistical analysis

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present real time user searches in a Greek academic library OPAC (University of Macedonia Library) in relation to user profile.

Design/methodology/approach

Using as a test bed a Greek academic library and its OPAC's transaction logs along with a system implanted questionnaire, data were gathered, processed and analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis techniques.

Findings

In making a synthesis of the analyzed data, a series of questions related to everyday library work were answered, giving libraries a tool to apply the gained knowledge in order to make decisions regarding their OPAC, their user education programs and their reference services.

Research limitations/implications

The present paper focuses on the analysis of those variables that were considered to be the most representative for constructing a user profile.

Originality/value

This paper builds upon the techniques of data collection and presents a new tool for analyzing them statistically. Data derived from libraries were processed and analyzed statistically using the classical descriptive statistics. The suggested multivariate statistical method is designed to become a tool for analyzing qualitative data and to be used in a variety of library applications. It is also particularly helpful in analyzing cross‐tabular data in the form of numerical frequencies and allows all associations amongst pairs of variables to be analyzed as well as each association between a variable and itself.

Citation

Malliari, A. and Kyriaki‐Manessi, D. (2007), "Users' behaviour patterns in academic libraries' OPACs: a multivariate statistical analysis", New Library World, Vol. 108 No. 3/4, pp. 107-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800710735311