A Comparative Evaluation of Print and Electronic Reviews of Multimedia Information Products

Kathy Buckner (Department of Communication and Information Studies Queen Margaret College, UK)

Mark Gillham (Department of Communication and Information Studies Queen Margaret College, UK)

Abstract: Reviews of information CD-ROM products were examined in relation to those criteria which home users identify as important in the selection of information CD-ROMs. Specifically we were interested in identifying what relationship, if any, existed between the key overall elements which characterise the reviews and the medium (print or electronic) and type of publication in which they appeared. A coding scheme was devised based on work undertaken previously by the authors and with reference to appropriate literature. Content analysis was undertaken using NUD.IST qualitative data analysis software. Our findings indicate that the nature of the review is influenced by the publication medium and type.

Keywords: applications, content analysis, evaluation, multimedia, reviews

Categories: K.3