ERIC Number: EJ1041971
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1533-290X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Chat Is Coming from inside the House: An Analysis of Perceived Chat Behavior and Reality
Berndt-Morris, Elizabeth; Minnis, Samantha M.
Journal of Library & Information Services In Distance Learning, v8 n3-4 p168-180 2014
When looking for ways to improve library services, we considered what data sources were readily available to us and how we could harvest and use this data. We investigated three years of chat reference statistics at Central Michigan University, a large research institution, to gain a better understanding of our patrons' chat behavior. We then compared the results to a survey given to the information professionals using chat reference, examining the perceptions of our chat service versus the results of our statistical analysis. With a large population of students on-campus, off-campus, and online, we looked at the incoming location of students asking for virtual assistance and which library queue chats (on-campus or off-campus) students are using. We compared many elements including, but not limited to, busiest time of day and year, length of response time and length of chat, all of which give us insights when determining practices to best serve our patrons. We concluded that several of our perceptions were inaccurate and there was much to learn about our patron usage behavior. We discovered many areas of discussion where there are potentials for improvements.
Descriptors: Library Services, Computer Mediated Communication, Discourse Analysis, Network Analysis, Reference Services, Library Research, Statistical Analysis, Use Studies, User Needs (Information), User Satisfaction (Information), College Libraries, Synchronous Communication, Incidence, Usability, Program Effectiveness, Content Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A