Hybrid approaches for measuring use, users, and usage behaviors: A paper submitted to the NSF NSDL Webmetrics Workshop, Costa Mesa, CA, Aug. 2-3, 2004.

Abstract

This paper was submitted as part of the requirements and statement of interest for participation in the NSF funded NSDL Webmetrics Workshop in Aug. 2004. It documents GROW's experience with regards to development of webmetrics software and intention to include webmetrics strategies as a part of evaluation. GROWâ s evaluation strategy was articulated in conjunction with the library design and development framework (Budhu & Coleman, 2002). A digital library is a complex thing to evaluate and the â interactivesâ evaluation framework we proposed uses hybrid methods to study distinct layers and objects in the digital library (resource itself, the interface, the search engine, etc.) and understand users and evaluate educational impact. Our Interactives Evaluation strategy has been shared with users and stakeholders at various venues such as the Harvill conference and the NSDL Participant Interaction Digital Workshop, February 2004