An evaluation of the use of subject based information gateways: case study ADAM

Abstract

Nowadays, end-users have quick and direct access to a massive amount of information available on the net. However, this information is unorganised expecting users to be able to identify and evaluate it in accordance with their information needs. Subject Based Information Gateways (SBIGs), organised collections of networked information, provide users with a catalogue of authoritative Internet resources, which can be searched or/and browsed. This paper provides an evaluation of one such gateway - the Art, Design, Architecture & Media Gateway (ADAM). It provides information on who these digital users are, how often they use the service, what their reasons for use are, which search methods and services provided they prefer, and what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of an online information service.