TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

Traditional and Digital Method of Data Collection

Traditional and Digital Method of Data Collection

Answer # 1: Challenges Faced by Libraries and Information Centers

From the early 1990's the hype and optimism had been replaced by the realization that creating or sustaining digital system for libraries and information centers are expensive, difficult and it requires the long term efforts (Ferilli, 2011). There are serious challenges linked with building the digital systems for the libraries and information centers. The shift from the traditional system to digital system is not the easy task because of the unique nature of the information. From the digital system data can be easily copied, and can be access by multiple users at a time that creates hurdle. Below are some of the issues are highlighted such as;

Technical architecture

The most important problem that can be faced is relating to the technical aspect. The libraries require digital material in order to make sure to provide services accurately such as:

For instance, it requires high speed network connections.

Various Databases that supports digital formats.

Engines to provide access to the resources.

Various servers such as FTP servers and Web servers.

Functions relating to management of electronic document

The technical architecture needs not to be massive like single box OPAC's, turn key with which people of information center and libraries are familiar. All of the material should be linked through integrated systems and network within single interface. For instance, architecture should support certain resources such as,

Bibliographic databases that help to identify digital materials and papers.

Tools that are used to find something and indexes.

Directories, and photographs

collections of pointers to Internet resources

numeric data sets

electronic journals

And, digital format materials.

Creating Digital Collection

One of the core issues is to building up the digital systems for the purpose of collection of the data. System to make digitally requires huge data so that it can be used potentially. For the purpose of gathering mass data, it is essential to use it truly. Three methods can be used in order to creating collection:

Digitization, conversion of the paper or information into digitalized form (more details in the below discussion).

Gathering of original work published or written by various scholars and publishers. For instance, electronic journals, data sets, and books.

Right to use to external materials by utilizing the other websites, and collections.

The above third method is the part of collecting data locally; it is only the way to enhance the data in the library so that local users can utilize it. One of the main issues is that libraries will require digitizing the material and trying to gather the original digital material. This one is the reprise of one of the old accessibility versus ownership issue--but in the digital realm—having same concerns such as,

management of collection

Access and managing of data for long term.

Collection and digitization of data is based on certain factors such as;

Collection strengths. The focus of the libraries leads them towards digitizing and for adding new material.

Unique collections. Libraries and information center can digitize the data that ...