The impact of subject-specific electronic resources on the research process using ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) and SciFinder Scholar electronic resources as exemplars.

Abstract

As part of a UK wide study attempting to assess the impact libraries have on the work and study of their members, Edinburgh University Library (EUL) decided to “measure the impact of subject-specific electronic resources on the research process”, using the ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) and SciFinder Scholar electronic resources as exemplars.

The project methodology included analysis of the databases’ coverage of University of Edinburgh research publications and surveys of active researchers requesting feedback on their use of the exemplar databases in the context of their overall online resource use. The surveys also asked researchers how online resources impacted upon their research.

Respondents recognised ERIC and SciFinder Scholar each to be one of a range of resources available to them and used them in conjunction with others as they thought appropriate. However, the Chemists’ use of SciFinder Scholar exceeds the Educationalists’ use of ERIC. The impact of both resources was felt by respondents in the time saved finding relevant information for their work and also in the currency and depth of information available.