Economies of online retrieval

Abstract

The growth and usage of online information systems has resulted in institutions making statistical studies on the costs of providing this service to users. Vendors analyze their indirect and direct costs in making database services available. This paper deals with the economies of online retrieval costs to the institution as well as the end user. One cost factor on which little has been reported, due to a paucity of data, is the value of the time saved by the end user in having a computer search run. Information which indicates savings to the end user will be reported from evaluations of completed searches run by the Purdue University Library's Computer Based Information Service. To measure overall benefits, institutions should consider the volume of usage, system performance and effectiveness, user behavior and user satisfaction.

Citation

Markee, K.M. (1981), "Economies of online retrieval", Online Review, Vol. 5 No. 6, pp. 440-444. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb024080