The USER Project

There has been an increase in the number of NHS (National Health Service) Repositories using more substantial and sophisticated software.  While repositories have been widely researched in academia very little substantial research has been undertaken in the healthcare sector.  In particular no research has been completed on NHS Repositories.  However, NHS Repositories are well used and represent a new direction for NHS healthcare libraries in managing the publication and research output of their trusts.  The USER project is a first step towards understanding repository users.

Aim: 

The project seeks to better understand how NHS Repositories are being used.

Objectives:

1. Know how users find NHS Repositories;
2. understand users' knowledge about the role of the NHS Repository;
3. explore how the NHS Repository fit into their approach to searching.

Outcomes:

1. Clearer understanding who is using the repository and why;
2. inform communications to users and stakeholders about the repository;
3. enable targeted marketing and promotion to potential users.