Behavioral trends in the use of printed book or e-book

a case study in Portuguese university libraries

  • Luiza Baptista Melo Universidade de Lisboa- Faculdade Meedicina Dentária / CIDEHUS - Universidade de Évora

Abstract

This study analyses the behavioural trends in the use of scientific information from printed books and e-books and the way university libraries users choose to use it. To this end, a survey was conducted on a sample of users from various Portuguese higher education schools. The first part focused on the characterization of respondents, which includes data on gender, area of knowledge and academic level  attended. In the second part we sought the opinion about advantages and disadvantages of each medium, frequency of use, choice of medium according to the purpose of reading, devices used and acquisition suggestions for the library. The results allow us to observe the factors that influence and affect the behaviours of users regarding their choice. Studies such as this help to support the decision in choosing the information resources to be purchased taking into account user preferences, but also to outline strategies for promoting the use of various media that, rather than competitors, should be complementary.

Author Biography

Luiza Baptista Melo, Universidade de Lisboa- Faculdade Meedicina Dentária / CIDEHUS - Universidade de Évora

Degree in Chemistry, scientific branch, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon; MSc in Archives, Libraries and Information Sciences, University of Évora University; PhD in Information Sciences and Documentation of the University of Évora. I worked in the academic libraries at the Portuguese Catholic University - Oporto, University Lusíada - Oporto and University of Porto. Currently, I'm working at the University of Lisbon. Since 2000, I have developed research in the areas of statistics, quality assessment, performance, impact and value of libraries, information services, open access and open science. I'm author of several articles in national and international journals and participate regularly in conferences in Portugal and abroad. It have integrated scientific committees of congresses at international level. Since 2005, I'm member and researcher at the University of Évora-Interdisciplinary center of history, Cultures and Societies (CIDEHUS.UE). I'm teacher and coordinator of training courses in BAd - Portuguese Association of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists.

Published
2021-04-08
How to Cite
MELO, Luiza Baptista. Behavioral trends in the use of printed book or e-book. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, [S.l.], v. 10, n. 1, p. 83-97, apr. 2021. ISSN 2241-1925. Available at: <http://www.qqml.net/index.php/qqml/article/view/694>. Date accessed: 18 apr. 2024.
Citation Formats
Issue
Vol 10 No 1 (2021): March Issue 2021
Section
Articles