Metasearch Usage Statistics Brad Buckley Thomson / Gale October 30, 2003

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Usage Statistics – Wanted! Meaningful usage reports for decision support: Evaluate a service Compare services Compare demographics

Usage Statistics - Metasearch But with Metasearch… What statistics should be counted ? By Who ? And When ?

Metasearch Issues – What to count? Need broad agreement on key measures search retrieval (or item requests) session turnaway Others? E.g., referrals, Metasearch search Need to rationalize and standardize industry definitions (COUNTER, E-Metrics, and ICOLC).

Metasearch issues – Who counts? Who is responsible for collecting and reporting each usage measure ? Are existing role definitions (e.g., COUNTER) adequate ? Standardize industry definitions (COUNTER, E-Metrics, and ICOLC).

Metasearch Issues – When to count? Broadcast search occurs with multiple resources and parties at the same time. Do we need to qualify usage measures when Metasearch is involved ? Avoid double or inappropriate counting. E.g., What if Metasearch involves a pre-search? Meaningfully analyze counts from the parties involved.

Metasearch – Real Usage Statistics For library X database Y, interpret: Sessns Srchs Views Rtrvls 5/ /

Usage Statistics - Recommendations Thorough review of NISO Z Information Services and Use: Metrics & statistics for libraries and information providers--Data Dictionary Analyze impact of Metasearch Create a NISO working group to…

Statistics Working Group Activities Review definitions in existing standards Identify missing definitions Identify overlap Identify inappropriate or incomplete definitions Revise definitions Present at focus group Recommend to existing standards bodies