Methodology
For this research, the methods for conducting use studies at different academic
libraries were examined. These methods were determined by studying the written reports
of use studies in scholarly journals. These articles were found in several ways.
First, a search was conducted on different article databases to find relevant use
studies. The two databases used were Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA)
and Library Literature & Information Science. A search was entered into each of these
databases for “use study” AND “serial” OR “periodical” OR “journal.” Results were
further limited to peer-reviewed articles only. Once potential articles were found, they
were read and reviewed to determine their relevance to this research. Articles detailing
use studies in academic libraries were selected from these results to study.
Articles were also found by reviewing the bibliographies of these articles found in
LISA and Library Literature & Information Science. Once the articles were read,
relevant citations in the text and bibliography were identified for later study. This was
done so earlier studies which influenced more recent studies could be identified. These
cited articles were identified, and then read and reviewed for relevance to this research.
Articles detailing a use study in an academic library were selected from these for use in
this research.