RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
9.3.2 Using the data
The data collected through monitoring and questionnaires or discussions can be
used to answer questions such as:
• What impact does the resource centre have on users?
• How far does the resource centre meet the needs of users?
• What do users save by using the resource centre?
• Are enough people being reached?
• Does the resource centre meet the needs of the funding organisation?
• How useful are the materials?
• What does it cost users to obtain information?
• How skilled are staff?
• How well is the resource centre networking?
• How useful are the resource centre’s publications?
• Are the systems for selection, indexing, cataloguing and retrieval cost-
effective?
• How can the resource centre increase its collection and improve its services
in the most cost-effective way?
• What improvements are the most cost-effective and beneficial?
1. What impact does the resource centre have on users?
Has using the resource centre or the enquiry service helped users to carry out
their work or studies? Has information from the resource centre led to any
particular action or change in work practices?
This information can be obtained from the monitoring information and
comments made by users through questionnaires and discussions.
2. How far does the resource centre meet users needs?
Do users believe that the resource centre is meeting their needs?
It is also useful to consider whether the resource centre was established in
response to a demonstrated need. Many resource centres grow from an
individual campaign and are based on staff’s view of what is needed, rather
than the views of the community that they aim to serve. It is worth checking
whether a needs assessment was carried out, and whether the collection and
services reflect the needs identified in the assessment.
This information can be obtained from documents about setting up the
resource centre, and by asking users how far the resource centre is meeting
their needs. Users can also be asked what they expect of the resource centre
and what services are available elsewhere. It is useful to note how many users
visit the resource centre more than once, as repeat visits help to show how
useful the resource centre is. Similarly, it is useful to note how many enquirers
make more that one enquiry. A second request on a different topic suggests
that the user was satisfied with the response to their first enquiry. A sample of
enquirers could be contacted to obtain more detailed feedback about how
useful they find the services.
SECTION 9: MONITORING AND EVALUATION
9