Quantitative study into the quality of the electronic history journal : are electronic history journals resources that can be used satisfactorily for academic research

Abstract

This study is an attempt to address the gap in literature concerning electronic journal evaluation. The print journal is a highly valued academic resource. Yet, there has been surprisingly little research completed on the quality of its opposite, the potentially valuable electronic journal. By addressing a specific academic group, the University historian, this study attempts to provide an initial insight into the current and future value/quality of the electronic journal, or more specifically the electronic history journal. This will complete an assessment into whether it is a resource suitable for academic research. The study was conducted using a questionnaire as the primary form of information. The questionnaire was distributed to the total population of New Zealand University historians. The questionnaire evaluated quality, through an analysis of respondent experience into the content and the usefulness of electronic journals, using the print journal as the established quality standard. It also sought to evaluate the electronic history journal's future by finding possible weaknesses in the medium, and biases from historians that reduced its historical status and historian usage. The study concluded the electronic history journal to be an inferior, but nevertheless a quality and valued resource that is suitable for historical research, making it a valuable library resource. This was concluded due to the consistently high ratings respondents gave the quality criteria for electronic history journals. However, it was also concluded from respondents that there are biases and weaknesses that need to be addressed, in order to assure the future quality of the electronic history journal.