Scholarly e‐books: the views of 16,000 academics: Results from the JISC National E‐Book Observatory

Abstract

Purpose

This study, a part of JISC‐funded UK National E‐Books Observatory, aims to find out about the perspective of students and academics, the main e‐book users, on e‐books.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an analysis of two open‐ended questions about e‐books, contained in a UK national survey conducted between 18 January and 1 March 2008. The survey obtained a response from more than 20,000 academic staff and students; 16,000 free‐text responses were obtained to these two questions.

Findings

The study discloses that convenience associated with online access along with searchability was the biggest advantage of e‐books. The study shows a potential market for e‐textbooks; however, e‐books have yet to become more student‐friendly by improving features such as printing and screenreading.

Originality/value

This is the biggest survey of its kind ever conducted and it improves one's knowledge of what the academic community thinks of e‐books.

Citation

Jamali, H.R., Nicholas, D. and Rowlands, I. (2009), "Scholarly e‐books: the views of 16,000 academics: Results from the JISC National E‐Book Observatory", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 61 No. 1, pp. 33-47. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530910932276