Delphi study of digital libraries

摘要

A Delphi study of digital libraries was undertaken in January 1998 to gain a broader understanding of issues related to DLs. Selected experts in the field were identified and presented with a series of 118 opinion statements, organized over a set of 13 questions. The Delphi Planning System, a Web-based software application, was utilized initially. Originally, 218 experts were considered and 33 were invited to participate in the Delphi study. 21 of those 33 initially agreed to participate. 13 general question areas formulated by the project group were forwarded to the invited experts, some of whom withdrew from participation. A review of the 9 expert contributions generated 118 opinion statements across the set of 13 questions. Round 1 of the Delphi resulted in 6 of 118 opinion statements reaching consensus. Round 2 resulted in 83 of the 118 opinion statements reaching some consensus of opinion. Round 3 focused on the 35 opinion statements that had not reached consensus. Analysis of round 3 data revealed that consensus of opinion or stability had been reached on all statements. Results from expert consensus included that: (1) efforts associated with the development of digital libraries are primarily collaborative, (2) an array of expertise is involved in the research and development of DL, (3) a DL has the potential to transform access to digital knowledge records and (4) the primary role of librarians in DL development is an extension of current practice. The names of 40 contributors to digital library research and development were posited by the study participants, with 10 identified as being `experts in DL'.