This article explores the evaluation process,
particularly in terms of offering the Library a
framework for negotiation with the various
stakeholders involved with the product. The
stakeholders included the publisher, faculty
librarians involved in materials expenditure
decisions, and product end-users. For the
negotiation to occur stakeholders needed to be
presented with a ‘meaningful construction
[which] makes sense’ of issues to do with the
product (Guba 1989, p.8). To construct this
reality the Library used two basic evaluation
processes of inquiry. These were firstly, the statistical analysis of the product’s own
generated statistical data and secondly, a user
survey. Results of each process were fed back
to stakeholders but all acknowledged that
neither really presented “a true state of affairs”
(Guba 1968, p.8) as each methodology had its
inherent assumptions and gaps in its findings.
The problems with each methodology will be
discussed as will the findings. Whilst neither is
a complete picture both methodologies did
provide issues for discussion with stakeholders
so that the negotiation process could be
undertaken and a course of action agreed to.