Online Journals: Utility of ToCs vs. Fulltext

Abstract

The Caltech Library System (CLS) has maintained an extensive list of online journal websites for several years. The online journal list has grown to over 3000 entries, representing a mixture of free and subscription-based fulltext journals, as well as websites featuring tables of contents and abstracts. During the winter of 1999/2000, the online journals list was converted to an online journals database. Additional user functionality was added, without loss of previous features. In a previous study, search engines were employed to map the adoption rates of online journals into the web pages of research groups and individuals on the Caltech campus. It was established that the vast majority of online journal use on-campus was through the access avenues presented by the library, the online catalog and the online journals database. One of the new features introduced in the online journals database was an ability to limit displays to journals containing fulltext. Anecdotal evidence has been less than clear-cut with regard to the utility of non-fulltext resources. This study will allow for a thorough analysis of the question with hard data. It should be feasible to determine if there are discipline-based preferences or if personal preferences are the controlling factor. Analysis of the web server logs will also allow for a direct comparison of user preferences for searching and browsing. Again, we expect to be able to determine if there is a subject-specific bias or if behaviors are more individually idiosyncratic. Results of the study will inform the further development of the CLS online journal efforts - database development, online journal promotion, new candidates for licensing. The technologies employed in this project are well documented and may be exploited by other libraries seeking to gather empirical data for collection decisions and web development efforts.