Myths and realities of digital reference services. Perspectives of libraries from developing countries
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121211217018 |
| Pages | 136-141 |
| Date | 17 February 2012 |
| Published date | 17 February 2012 |
| Author | Ahmad Bakeri Abu Bakar |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Myths and realities of digital
reference services
Perspectives of libraries from developing
countries
Ahmad Bakeri Abu Bakar
Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Information and
Communication Technology, International Islamic University Malaysia,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine whether differences exist between public and
private universities’ web sites in terms of visibility and accessibility of the web sites.
Design/methodology/approach – The approach that was taken to study the issue of visibility and
accessibility is using the software Alexa and EvalAccess respectively. Alexa is able to determine web
site usage, which is an indicator of online quality by showing the number of in-links and web traffic
volume of the web sites. Using Alexa ten public universities’ web sites and ten private universities’
web sites were ranked. Similarly, EvalAccess is used to evaluate the accessibility problems of these
web sites.
Findings – It is found, in the case of public universities’ web sites, that the International Islamic
University Malaysia has the highest in-links while Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has the highest web
traffic volume. In the case of private universities’ web sites, the Multimedia University has the highest
in-links, while the Malaysia University of Science and Technology has the highest web traffic volume.
In respect of accessibility problems, the private universities’ web sites are having more problems
compared to public universities’ web sites.
Research limitations/implications – This research on the visibility and accessibility issues of
universities’ web sites is limited to the situation in Malaysia where public universities are more
prominent and seldom face financial constraints if compared with private universities. This research
shows that top ranked universities’ web sites, whether they are from public or private universities, are
highly visible and accessible.
Social implications – It is highly important for those universities’ web sites that are not highly
visible and accessible that the universities should initiate the necessary measures to improve the
development of their web sites.
Originality/value – Not much research has been addressed to issues on visibility and accessibility
of universities’ web sites in developing countries and this research is conducted to fill that gap.
Keywords Web metrics, Malaysia, Web sites, Publicuniversities, Private universities, User studies,
Reference services
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
It is openly discussed in the media about the quality of education offered by public and
private universities. Some have argued that private universities have been responding
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
This paper was originally presented at the QQML Conference in Athens, Greece between 24-27
May 2011.
LM
33,3
136
Received 25 August 2011
Accepted 15 October 2011
Library Management
Vol. 33 No. 3, 2012
pp. 136-141
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435121211217018
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