Exploring the Postgraduate Experience of Library eBooks

Abstract

Research Problem: In 2013 and 2014 surveys of the University of Otago student population, eBooks fell below the mean as a service that was meeting the needs of the above third year student group. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of using library eBooks from the perspective of postgraduate students, in order to identify factors which may be contributing to this service failing to meet student’s needs.

Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight University of Otago postgraduate students, across disciplines and levels of postgraduate study. The interview data was analysed using a thematic analysis methodology to identify overarching themes. The interview data was compared and contrasted against findings from the existing research.

Results: Although the sample size for this study was small and did not include as many students from across all disciplines as was desired, the results still contribute to the understanding of the experience of using library eBooks for University of Otago postgraduate students. The findings illustrate how eBooks are accessed and used by students and have led to the following suggestions for changes to this library service: that there is a need and desire for an online training and support tool for using eBooks – especially the advanced features, that the 7 day loan limit on some eBooks is not long enough for postgraduate students, and that postgraduate students want to use DRM free eBooks that can be downloaded in PDF format.

Implications: Areas identified for further research include further exploration of this topic with postgraduate students from outside of the humanities, exploration of how the undergraduate experience of eBooks compares to the postgraduate experience, and reasons for and implications of a preference to use Google Scholar by students.