Electronic Usage Statistics

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of electronic usage statistics, including methods of defining, collecting, and using the data. A survey of some of the systems of estimating journal usage in the print environment is followed by a description of the development of electronic usage practices. The important contributions of the COUNTER and SUSHI projects are reviewed, along with issues in the management and use of electronic statistics. Examples of ways these statistics can assist in decision making throughout a product’s life cycle are included, as well as other ways usage statistics can prove useful. The chapter concludes with a brief look at the use of statistics in the bibliomining process.