Google analytics for digital library evaluation

Abstract

This master dissertation use the evaluative purposes and e-metrics found in the literature review to examine the appropriateness of applying the web analysis tool, Google Analytics (GA), for the evaluation of digital libraries. The final aim of the study is to provide a useful guideline based on its insightful discussion over the possibilities and limitations of GA for digital libraries. The dissertation is structured into five chapters. First chapter introduces the research background, research questions, research motivation, possible limitations and methodologies. Chapter two is the review of the literature as well as the seven case studies. The purposes and metrics found through those reviews are presented as a table in the end of chapter two. Chapter three presents the introduction of GA. The introduced aspects include the technology of GA, its metrics definitions, its report interface and a discussion over its business-oriented nature. Chapter four analyzes the possibilities and discusses the limitations of applying Google Analytics to a digital library environment. Such analysis is carried out by using the eleven evaluative purposes grouped in three evaluative themes. In chapter five, using the comprehensive literature review as well as the analysis on Google Analytics as a digital library evaluative tool, the paper has concluded that the analytics tool has more possibilities than limitations to offer.