Report changes - August 2004 | Accessing usage statistics reports | Using FirstSearch usage statistics | Glossary

Using FirstSearch usage statistics

OCLC FirstSearch Usage Statistics help you monitor user capacity and evaluate which databases are searched most often. Here are some examples of how you might apply the information provided by these reports:

• Usage Statistics provides you with a tool to evaluate how many simultaneous logons you need to purchase overall and how to set user limits at the database level for mid-year additions or annual renewals.

• You can use Usage Statistics reports to monitor database usage. A database that is offered per search may get such heavy usage that it is economically advantageous for you to purchase a subscription to that database. Conversely, a database that receives little usage might be offered per search in the future instead of via subscription. Or, you may want to promote use of a given database that has been purchased via subscription in order to boost its usage.

• You can use statistics to adjust database user limits. You may note that user limits have been set too high in one database and too low in another. You may want to change the user limits for these databases in the upcoming renewal year.

• You can use statistics to determine when subscribing to a journal is more economical than purchasing its articles individually through per-article purchase. Reports in the OCLC FirstSearch Usage Statistics service include per-article purchase data by journal.

Report changes - August 2004 | Accessing usage statistics reports | Glossary

August 2004