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Diffusion of network information retrieval in academia Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Ashley, Nancy Winniford Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 05/10/2021 15:52:07 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/187072 INFORMATION TO USERS This ~uscript ,has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. MI4S106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800:521·0600 DIFFUSION OF NETWORK INFORMATION RETRIEVAL IN ACADEMIA by Nancy W inniford Ashley A Dissertation Submitted to the Committee on BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOcrOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 1995 OMI Number: 9531094 UMI Microform 9531094 Copyright 1995, by OMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United states Code. uw 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ---~- ~ ...... ". 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by_______ N~a_n_c~y~W~i~n~n~i~f~o~r~d~A~s~h_l_e~y ________ __ entitled ____~D~i~f~f~u~s~i~o~n~o~f~·~N~e~t~w~o~r~k~in~f~o~rm~a~t~i~o~n~R~e~t~r~i~e~v~a~l~i~n~A~c~a~d~e=m=i=a ____ and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of ______D_o_c __ to_r __ o_f __ P_h_i_l_o_s_o~p_h~y ______________ __ /(,- I.., - tfy Date Date Date Date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copy of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation Date 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation bas been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of source is made. Requests for permission tor extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscirpt in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his or her judgment the proposed use of the material is in the interests of scholarship. In all other instances, liowever, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED:~~~~ 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My advisor, Dr. Suzie Weisband, has been an exceptionally intuitive and optimistic guide through the research process. I particularly appreciated my conversations with Dr. Gretchen Whitney, my minor advisor in Library Science, in the early years of forming my research ideas. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee, Dr. Mark Pendergast, Dr. Titus Purdin, and Dr. Charlie Seavey for their efforts and suggestions which have made this research better. I am grateful to my parents, Dr. Robert Winhlford and Georgene Winniford, who made the academic life look attractive. I am also thankful for my sister, Dr. MaryAnne Winniford, who encouraged me when I decided to follow in her academic footsteps. It is a fine thing to have a doctoral sibling to commiserate with in the bad times and to rejoice with in the good times. 5 DEDICATION To my husband Rhett -- a gifted artist and sculptor. he is also adept at the fine craft of marriage. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................... 9 LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................... 10 ABS'IRACf.................. ...... II ••••• II •• II •••••••••• II ••••••• II.... ••••••••••••••••••••••• 12 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................... 14 What is N'IR. ? ......................................................................... 16 NIR Resources and Technologies. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Databases ....................... '. II •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• II.. • •• •••••••••• 20 Files for Public Access ...................................................... 22 Electronic Discussions ....................................................... 24 Accessing Information Resources ....................................... 26 2. THEORETICAL BASIS FOR THE STUDY OF NIR ....................... 36 Theories Considered ............................................................... 36 Reasons for Choice of TheOlY.................................................. 41 Diffusion of Innovation Theory ............................................... 44 Applying the Diffusion of Innovation Theory to NIR ................. 50 Communication Channels used by the Potential Adopter ....... 50 Perceived Characteristics of the Innovation ......................... 53 Compatibility with Needs, Practices, and Norms .............. 53 Compatibility with Needs ....................................... 54 Compatibility with Previous Practice ....................... 56 Compatibility with Social Norms ............................. 58 Relative Advantage over Previous Practice ..................... 60 Complexity .................................................................. 63 Trialability .................................................................. 63 7 TABLE OF CONfENfS -- CONTINUED Observability ............................................................... 64 3. METHODOLOGy .......................................... 1 ••••••••••••••••••• I •••••••• 67 Choice of Research Methodologies ........................................... 67 Survey Methodology ............................................................... 71 Subjects ......................... II .................................................. 71 Procedures ........................ II •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• II ••••••••••••• 73 Hypotheses an.d Measures .........' ........................... , .............. 74 Survey Response ........................ II ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 75 Survey Resu.lts. .. .. ... .. .. .... ... .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 Case Study Methodology ......................................................... 79 Subjects. 11 .......................................................................... ,79 Procedures ....................................................................... 81 Predicted Relationships and Measures ................................. 83 4. ANALYSIS OF THE CASESTUDYDATA................................... 86 Awareness Associated with Type of Communication Channe1. ..... 86 Use Associated with Type of Communication Channel. ............... 88 Use Associated with NIR. Compatibility with Need ..................... 88 Use Associated with NIR Compatibility with Previous Pm.ctices .............................................................................. 90 Use Associated with NIR Compatibility with Social Norms ......... 91 Use Associated with Relative Advantages of NIR ....................... 93 Use Associated with NIR Complexity........................................ 96 Use Associated with NIR Trialability ........................................ 98 TABLE OF CONfENTS -- CONTINUED 8 TABLE OF CONTENTS -- CONTINUED 5. DISCUSSION AND RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS ........................ 100 Effects of Communication Channels on Awareness of NIR .......... 102 Effects of Communication Channels on Use of NIR .................... 110 Effects of Perceived Characteristics of NIR. on Use of NIR ......... 111 Perceived Need for NIR and Use of NIR. ............................. 111 Previous Practice and Use ofNIR....................................... 117 Social Nonns and Use of NIR ............................................ 119 Relative Advantage and Use of NIR. ...................................