Influence of individual factors in the use of digital libraries: the case of Journals Portal Capes

ABSTRACT

This article investigated users and non-users of the Capes Portal to identify independent variables that are determinant to use or non-use of the Portal. The methodological procedure adopted was a web survey sent to 14,763 faculty in 17 Brazilian federal universities, which contained questions on personal and professional characteristics, attitudes to printed versus electronic journals and purposes for using the Internet. With regard to personal characteristics the results indicate that sex is not determinant for the use of the Portal while the variable age is. With regard to professional characteristics, evidences are that the variables area of knowledge, university and academic background are determinant to use. The variable geographic region is not presented as a determinant variable for the use of the Portal. Another observed behavior was preference for both print and electronic forms simultaneously by most respondents. The three main Internet usage purposes indicated by faculty are performing academic research, accessing email and shopping respectively. More qualitative research is recommended to better understanding of some of the results.

Keywords:
Digital libraries; Electronic journals; Scholarly communication; Capes Portal of E-Journals; Study of users