Access to professional and academic information in the UK

Transcription

1 1 Access to professional and academic information in the UK A survey of SMEs, large companies, universities & colleges, hospitals & medical schools, governmental & research institutes Companion report August 2009 Selected results from this survey form the basis of the PRC report on Access by UK small and medium sized enterprises to professional and academic information produced on behalf of the PRC by Mark Ware Consulting Ltd. This companion report provides a fuller analysis of the results of the survey which was carried out in collaboration with Mark Ware Consulting Ltd with technical support and assistance provided by Elsevier s research team Mark Ware Consulting Ltd

2 Contents 2 Highlights. Sample and methodology.. Breakdown of subgroups (sectors) covered in study. 5 Ease of access to information across sectors. 6 Factors and barriers affecting success of an organisation, importance versus ease of access to information (split by sector) SMEs 14 Large companies.. 19 University/ College respondents. 24 Hospital/ Medical School + Non-governmental Public Health. 29 Research Institute + Governmental. 34 Supporting data 39 Demographics 46 Page 3 4

3 Highlights 3 In June 2009, over 1000 UK research users responded to a survey about their access to and use of professional and academic information (including research articles published in journals, about which more detailed feedback was obtained). was generally ranked as a relatively important success factor for each sector, ranging from 4 th out of 16 for governmental & research institutes to 9 th out of 14 for large companies. Asked to pick which factors were a barrier to success, access to information was ranked 13 th out of 16 for universities/colleges, 9 th out of 15 for hospitals & medical schools, and 4 th out of 15 for SMEs. Of all information types covered in the survey, original research articles in journals were consistently ranked amongst the most important across all sectors. Original research articles in journals were seen as easy to access by 8 of those who rated information as important. This ranged from 9 for universities/colleges and 78% for hospitals & medical schools to 7 for SMEs. Two-thirds of the respondents indicated that access to research articles had become easier over the last 5 years. Access had improved most for university & college respondents (7 agreed) followed by hospitals & medical schools (7), governmental & research institutes (7), large companies (6) and SMEs (6). The proportion of respondents who had recently had difficulty getting access to at least one research article ranged from 2 (universities & colleges) to 5 (SMEs). However, the study estimated that this only represented 4-1 (lower estimate) or 10-2 (higher estimate) of all articles read in 12 months. Of those who said that they had recently experienced problems accessing an article, the main reported difficulty was the requirement for payment, followed by technical problems associated with online payment, and problems associated with finding the article online or in the library.

4 Sample & Methodology 4 Survey conducted online using Confirmit software, 4 th 29 th June 2009 Completed responses: 1130 ( response rate) Sample obtained from three sources: Authors of scientific articles (including commercial, medical and academic authors) PPV; those who had used Pay per View to access content via a publisher s site) Subscribers to trade/professional publications provided by list brokers Note: Convenience sample used; whilst providing valuable insights into the information usage patterns within the UK across different sectors, responses from some groups (e.g. members of the public) are not sufficiently large to be representative. The sampling was designed to get reasonable responses across a number of key sectors (e.g. Large Companies, SMEs, Universities and Colleges, Hospitals and Medical Schools) where access to professional & academic information was likely to be of importance Interview structure: Introduction Factors and barriers affecting the success of an organisation Access to information: of access to information Levels of access to different types of information Which type of information respondents would most like to see improved Frequency of accessing different types of information Access to journal articles Frequency of accessing research articles in journals Current access level Access compared to 5 years ago Whether difficulty encountered in accessing journal articles Number of articles which have been difficult and nature of difficulty Demographics Number of employees/students/beds in organisation/institute. Specialisation, area and role Age and country

5 Breakdown of subgroups Throughout this report results are analysed within six subgroups or sectors. Subgroups are created as a function of two key questions: 5 Q1. Which of the following describes your MAIN affiliation? TOTAL n=1130 (Industrial or commercial respondents only) Q22. Approximately, how many employees are there in your organis ation? Corporate Non corporate Industrial or Commercial University or College Hospital or Medical School Non Governmental Public Health n=297 26% n=470 4 n=171 1 n=8 Research Institute n=65 Governmental n=56 Subgroup University/ College respondents Subgroup n=470 Hospital/ Pub. Health Subgroup n=179 Research/ Gov t n=121 TOTAL n=297 Less than 25 n= n= n=55 19% n=23 8% n= n=26 9% n=47 16% Subgroup SMEs n=186 Subgroup Large companies n=111 Member of the public* n=25 Subgroup Other Other* n=38 n=63 * Respondents self -classifying as a member of the public or other, emerged through later questioning mainly as single person consultants/professionals, some retired academics or from the voluntary sector. Although analysed separately here, this many in this group are not dissimilar to the SME group

6 Ease of access to information across sectors 6

7 % Very easy + Fairly easy to access Ease of access to various information types across sectors Q8b. Of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? (response option: Very Easy, Fairly Easy, Fairly Difficult, VeryDifficult) Base: Factors considered important SMEs Large company University/ College Hosp/Med Scl + Non Gv Pub Hth Research Inst + Gov t Other 7 Original research articles in journals % 8 69% Review papers in journals % Reference works % 76% 8 86% Ordered by overall importance across all sectors Conference proceedings Technical info Professional/ Trade publications Technical reports Scientific and technical standards Doctoral theses/ dissertations Patent information Legislative /Regulatory info Clinical guidelines % 87% 79% * * 67% 8 88% 7 86% 7 78% % % 8 28% 58% % 5 9 * 68% 76% % 7 79% * * * % 8 CME/ Educational content * * Patient details Market research reports Vendor white papers * * 48% 76% * 5 68% 48% % 6 8 * * 56% * * * * Base of importance too small to report level of ease of access

8 types to which respondents would like to improve access Q8d. If you could improve access for one of the below information types which ONE would you choose? Base: Factors considered important, and where access is perceived as difficult. SMEs n=132 Large company n=70 University/ College n=290 Hosp/Med Scl + Non Gv Pub Hth n=130 Research Inst + Gov t n=73 * NB. Low Base size Other* n=44 8 Market research reports 17% 16% 7% 6% 1 7% Journal research articles 16% 1 8% 18% 1 16% Conference proceedings 1 16% % Reference works 8% 7% 6% 7% Patent information 8% 6% Review papers in journals 8% 6% 6% Technical information 8% 6% 8% 1 Doctoral theses/ dissertations 6% 2 9% 1 16% Technical reports from gov agencies 1 7% Scientific and technical standards 1 6% Legislative /Regulatory information 7% Professional/ Trade publications Patient details Vendor white papers Clinical guidelines CME/Educational content Amongst SMEs, market research reports and journal research articles are amongst the most popular choices for improved access For large companies the most popular choices are conference proceedings and market research reports 8% Amongst university/ college respondents the most popular choices are conference proceedings and doctoral theses/ dissertations 1 Jounal research articles, conference proceedings and patient details are most popular choices 8% 8% Mixed views amongst research institutes + government respondents 7%

9 Ease of journal access across sectors (where access to research articles is considered important) 9 Base: Those who consider access to original research articles in journals important Ease of access 100 Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? 70.9 % of each sector rating access to original research articles in journals Very easy or Fairly easy n=134 n=74 n=458 n=166 n=99 n=42* * NB. Low Base size SMEs use journal articles more often than larger corporations Over two thirds of SME respondents have easy access to journal articles. 0 SMEs Large company University/ College Hosp/Med scl + Non-Gv Pub Hlth Research Inst + Gov't Other Q9. How often do you access information that you require via the following channels? Base: Total for each group Several times per week Weekly to Monthly Frequency of reading journal articles n=186 n=111 n=470 n=179 n=121 n= % % 27% Less often 1 1 8% 2 Ave # of journal articles read per year, either print or online

10 Journal access compared to 5 years ago 10 Q12. How does your current level of access to research articles compared with 5 years ago? Base: Those reading journal articles MORE DIFFICULT % More difficult About the same EASIER % Easier SMEs (n=176) Large companies (n=101) University/ College (n=454) Hosp/ Med scl + Non Gov Pub. Health % 1 6% 1 8% % 16% 1 29% % 5 47% Majority of respondents felt that journal access has become easier in the last 5 years Access seems to have improved most for University/ College respondents, with only 1 of sample perceiving a deterioration in access. (n=177) Research Inst + Gov t (n=116) 1 7% 2 19% 5 7 A lot easier Other (n=57) 1 9% % A little easier A little more difficult A lot more difficult MORE DIFFICULT EASIER

11 What proportion of respondents have had difficulties accessing an article within the last 12 months? 11 Q11. How would you describe your current level of access to research articles? Base: Those who read research articles in journals, n=1121 Variable or poor access Excellent or good access Current Access Level 10 4 Note: Figures shown relate to total sample. Amongst subgroups, these figures vary 56% Excel. Good Variable Poor 8% 3 46% 1 10 Q13a. You indicated that your access to journal articles was either variable or poor. Have you had difficulty accessing the full text of a research article recently? Base: All those who indicated their current level of access to research articles was variable or poor, n=491 Difficulty with Access 1 1 8% % 37% 37% 5 56% 26% SMEs No n=96 Yes n=395 39% % 7% 7% 8% Large Companies % of Base Uni/ College % of Subgroup 9% Hosp+ Pub Health Q14. Have you paid to access an individual research article within the last year? Base: All those who have not had difficulty accessing the full text of a research article recently, n=96 Have they paid for access? Base size too low to report at subgroup level Research Inst + Gov Paid n=22 Not paid n=74 3 Other % of Base % of Subgroup 2 7% 77% Quantifying the Access Difficulty The level of difficulty was quantified by taking the number of articles stated as being difficult to access, as a proportion of all articles read by all respondents. Overall, 8% of articles were difficult to access*. Page 11 shows how access difficulty varies by sector. Page 12 quantifies the access difficulty within each sector * Assumes that those who have excellent or good access or those who said they had no difficulties had zero difficulty accessing articles they needed in the past 12 months V. Poor Poor Variable Good Excellent

12 Reasons articles were difficult to access 12 Q15. In relation to the last article you had difficulty accessing, why was it difficult? Note: Question was asked only of those who reported experiencing difficulty with accessing a journal article. SMEs (n=186) Large companies (n=111) University/ College (n=470) Hospital/ Public Health (n=179) Research Inst. + Gov t (n=121) Other (n=63) Unsure how to find the article Searched online but could not find the article 8% 6% 1 Could not remember the exact name of the author and/or title of the article Could not find the article in the library (library did not have a physical copy) 7% 6% Tried to access the article from home, but discovered I could only access it from work Found the article online, but had to pay to access the full article Found the article online, had to pay for it, but had technical difficulties paying 1 6% Proportion of each group having difficulty accessing at least one article within the last 12 months % 26% 4 NOTE: The figures in the charts above show reasons for difficulty accessing at least one article in the last 12 months as a proportion of all respondents in the sector however, this does not give an idea of the scale of the difficulty. The next page (p11) quantifies this in terms of number of articles difficult to access as a proportion of articles read in the sector

13 Reasons articles are difficult to access as a proportion of total articles read per annum 13 Q15. In relation to the last article you had difficulty accessing, why was it difficult? Q13b. Approximately how many articles have you had difficulty accessing in the last 12 months? Note: Question was asked only of those who reported experiencing difficulty with accessing a journal article. SMEs (n=186) Large companies (n=111) University/ College (n=470) Hospital/ Public Health (n=179) Research Inst. + Gov t (n=121) Other (n=63) Unsure how to find the article Searched online but could not find the article Could not remember the exact name of the author and/or title of the article Could not find the article in the library (library did not have a physical copy) Tried to access the article from home, but discovered I could only access it from work Found the article online, but had to pay to access the full article 8% 6% 8% Found the article online, had to pay for it, but had technical difficulties paying Ave no of articles read per annum per user Ave no of articles difficult to access per annum for average user % of articles with access difficulty as proportion of readings % 7% 9% 6% This analysis assumes that those who have excellent or good access or those who said they had no difficulties had zero difficulty accessing to all of articles they needed in the past 12 months. If instead of zero, one assumes that those with good or excellent access had half the difficultly of those who state poor or variable access, then the % of articles with access difficulty would range from 1 to 2

14 SMEs 14

15 Success factors: SMEs (all) 15 Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: SME respondents (n=186) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: All SME respondents ranking factors (n=186) Barriers Staff 6.4 Lack of new customers 0.63 Product quality 6.4 Attracting staff 0.34 Leadership 6.0 Too much bureaucracy 0.30 Customer loyalty 5.9 Access to information 0.28 Attracting new customers 5.9 Leadership 0.21 Attracting staff 5.9 Technology/ Software/ Comms 0.18 Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Quality of equipment Product range ranked 7 th out of 14, in terms of perceived importance to the success of the organisation Product range Product quality Staff Lack of loyal customers ranked 4 th out of 13, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Min bureaucracy 5.1 Quality of equipment 0.10 Access to academic expertise 4.3 Training 0.09 Access to commercial expertise 4.0 Access to expertise/ consultancy network Not at all Extremely Low High

16 Success factors: SMEs who consider original research or review articles important Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: SME respondents considering original research or review articles important (5,6 or 7 on scale) (n=148) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: All SME respondents ranking factors and considering original research or review articles important (n=148) 16 Barriers Staff 6.4 Lack of new customers 0.58 Product quality 6.3 Attracting staff 0.33 Attracting staff 6.0 Too much bureaucracy 0.33 Leadership 5.9 Access to information 0.32 Customer loyalty 5.9 Technology/ Software/ Comms Quality of leadership 0.20 Attracting new customers Technology/ Software/ Comms Min bureaucracy Training Quality of equipment ranked 6 th out of 14, in terms of perceived importance to the success of the organisation Product range Product quality Quality of staff Quality of equipment ranked 4 th out of 13, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Product range 5.0 Training 0.09 Access to academic expertise 4.4 Lack of loyal customers 0.08 Access to commercial expertise 4.1 Access to expertise/ consultancy network Not at all Extremely Low High

17 Success factors: SMEs (all) Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: All SME respondents (n=186) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: All SME respondents ranking factors. (n=186) 17 High Barrier vs. Barriers Ability to attract new customers Relative barrier to success** Low Barrier 0 Access to commerical expertise Access to university expertise Min bureaucracy Training Attracting staff Leadership Product range Technology/ Software/ Comms Product quality Equipment Staff Customer loyalty Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High ** Index number plotted is the product of average rank position and proportion of base selecting factor.

18 access: SMEs (all) 18 Q8. When it comes to information, how important is it that you have access to the types of information listed below?. Base: All SME respondents (n=186) Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? Base: All SME respondents rating factors as important. (n=186) types: vs. Ease of access 90 Professional/Trade pubs Ease of access* (% Very + Fairly easy) CME/Educational content Clinical guidelines Vendor white papers Technical reports from gov't Legislative /Regulatory info Scientific/ tech stds Patent information Conference proceedings Market research reports Technical info Review papers in journals Original research articles in journals Reference works 40 Patient details 30 Doctoral theses/ dissertations Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High * Level of access only asked for those factors rated as important

19 Large companies 19

20 Success factors: Large companies (All) 20 Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: Large company respondents (n=111 ) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: All large company respondents ranking factors. (n=111) Barriers Quality of staff 6.4 Too much bureaucracy 0.51 Product quality 6.4 Quality of leadership 0.49 Attracting quality staff 6.1 Lack of new customers 0.38 Quality of leadership 6.1 Attracting quality staff 0.31 Customer loyalty 5.8 Technology/ Software/ Comms 0.24 Attracting new customers Training Technology/ Software/ Comms Product range ranked 9 th out of 14, in terms of perceived importance to the success of the organisation Product quality Quality of staff Product range Training ranked 10 th out of 13, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Quality of equipment 5.4 Access to information 0.09 Minimal bureaucracy 5.0 Quality of equipment 0.08 Access to academic expertise 4.3 Lack of loyal customers 0.05 Access to commercial expertise 4.3 Access to expertise/ consultancy network Not at all Extremely Low High

21 Success factors: Large companies considering original research or review articles important Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: Large company respondents considering original research or review articles important (n=86) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: Large company respondents ranking factors and considering original research or review articles important (n=86) 21 Barriers Staff 6.5 Leadership 0.56 Product quality 6.4 Too much bureaucracy 0.53 Attracting staff 6.2 Lack of new customers 0.37 Leadership 6.1 Attracting staff 0.31 Customer loyalty 5.8 Technology/ Software/ Comms 0.22 Attracting new customers 5.8 Product quality 0.20 Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Product range Equipment ranked 7 th out of 14, in terms of perceived importance to the success of the organisation Staff Training Access to information Product range ranked 9 th out of 13, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Min bureaucracy 5.0 Quality of equipment 0.09 Access to academic expertise 4.5 Lack of loyal customers 0.02 Access to commercial expertise 4.4 Access to expertise/ consultancy network Not at all Extremely Low High

22 Success factors: Large companies (All) 22 Q2. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your company. Base: All large company respondents (n=111) Q3. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your organisation? Base: All large company respondents ranking factors. (n=111) High Barrier 0.7 vs. Barriers Relative barrier to success** Min bureaucracy Technology/ Software/ Comms Equipment Product range Ability to attract new customers Training Leadership Attracting staff Product quality Staff Low Barrier 0 Access to commerical expertise Access to university expertise Customer loyalty Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High ** Index number plotted is the product of average rank position and proportion of base selecting factor.

23 access: Large companies (All) Q8. When it comes to information, how important is it that you have access to the types of information listed below?. Base: All large company respondents (n=111) Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? Base: All large company respondents rating factors as important. (n=111) 23 types: vs. Ease of access 90 Professional/Trade pubs Review papers in journals Scientific/ tech stds 80 Patient details Clinical guidelines Original research articles Technical info in journals Legislative /Regulatory Patent information info Ease of access* (% Very + Fairly easy) CME/Educational content Doctoral theses/ dissertations Vendor white papers Market research reports Conference proceedings Reference works Technical reports from gov't Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High * Level of access only asked for those factors rated as important

24 University/ College respondents 24

25 25 Success factors & barriers: University/ College respondents (All) Q4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: All university or college respondents (n=470) Q5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your institute? Base: All university or college respondents ranking factors. (n=470) Barriers Quality of staff 6.5 Funding 0.81 Funding 6.4 Time to conduct research 0.65 Time to conduct research 6.4 Too much bureaucracy 0.39 Attracting quality staff Autonomy to set research direction Quality of leadership Quality of equipment Seed funding for new ideas Minimal bureaucracy Technology/ Software/ Comms ranked 5 th out of 15, in terms of perceived importance to the success of institute Quality of leadership Seed funding for new ideas Attracting quality staff Staff Support for proposals Quality of equipment Autonomy to set research direction Technology/ Software/ Comms Sufficient number of students ranked 13 th out of 16, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Support for proposals 5.3 Access to information 0.06 Sufficient number of students 5.3 Access to expertise/ consultancy 0.03 Training 5.1 Training 0.03 Clear legal and ethical frameworks 4.8 Unclear legal and ethical frameworks Not at all Extremely Low High

26 Success factors: University/College respondents who consider original research or review articles important 26 Q4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: University/College respondents considering original research or review articles important (5,6 or 7 on scale) (n=465) Q5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your institute? Base: University/ College respondents ranking factors and considering original research or review articles important (n=465) Barriers Staff 6.5 Funding 0.80 Funding 6.4 Time to conduct research 0.65 Time to conduct research 6.4 Too much bureaucracy 0.39 Attracting staff 6.4 Leadership 0.20 Autonomy to set research direction Leadership Equipment Seed funding for new ideas Min bureaucracy Technology/ Software/ Comms ranked 5 th out of 15, in terms of perceived importance to the success of the institute Seed funding for new ideas Attracting staff Staff Support for proposals Equipment Autonomy to set research direction Technology/ Software/ Comms Sufficient number of students ranked 13 th out of 16, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Support for proposals 5.3 Access to information 0.06 Sufficient number of students 5.3 Unclear legal and ethical frameworks 0.03 Training 5.1 Access to expertise/ consultancy 0.03 Clear legal and ethical frameworks 4.9 Training Not at all Extremely Low High

27 Success factors: University/College respondents (All) 27 Q4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: All university or college respondents (n=470) Q5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your institute? Base: All university or college respondents ranking factors. (n=470) is one of the most important success vs. Barriers factors but one of High Barrier the lowest barriers Relative barrier to success** Low Barrier 0 Support for writing and costing proposals Min bureaucracy Time to conduct research Seed funding Equipment Leadership Attracting staff Student numbers Training Clear legal and ethical frameworks Technology/ Software/ Autonomy to set 4 5 Comms research direction 6 7 Low Staff Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High ** Index number plotted is the product of average rank position and proportion of base selecting factor.

28 28 access: University/College respondents (All) Q8. When it comes to information, how important is it that you have access to the types of information listed below? Base: All university or college respondents (n=470) Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? Base: All university or college respondents rating factors as important (n=470) types: vs. Ease of access Review papers in journals Original research articles in journals Research articles are the most important, and one of the easiest to access. Ease of access* (% Very + Fairly easy) Clinical guidelines Vendor white papers Patent information Legislative /Regulatory info Patient details CME/Educational content Technical reports from gov't Scientific/ tech stds Doctoral theses/ dissertations Technical info Professional/Trade pubs Reference works Conference proceedings 40 Market research reports Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High * Level of access only asked for those factors rated as important

29 29 Hospital/ Medical School + Non-governmental Public Health

30 Success factors & barriers: Hospitals + Public Health 30 Q2/6. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your hospital/ organisation. Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents (n=179) Q3/7. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your hospital/ organisation? Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents ranking factors (n=179) Barriers Quality of staff 6.6 Too much bureaucracy 0.68 Attracting quality staff 6.4 Funding* 0.60 Quality of leadership 6.4 Quality of leadership 0.42 Funding* 6.3 Bed capacity* 0.20 Well maintained hospital* 6.3 Attracting quality staff 0.19 Training Quality of equipment Technology/ Software/ Comms Patient information* Sufficient operating theatres* Minimal bureaucracy Clear legal and ethical frameworks Bed capacity* Access to latest drug therapies* Quality of staff Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Poorly maintained hospital* Access to information Sufficient operating theatres* Access to latest drug therapies* Equipment Unclear legal /ethical frameworks* Unavailable patient info* Access to expertise/ consultancy ranked 10 th out of 16, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Not at all Extremely ranked 9th out of 15, in terms of perceived importance to the success of organisation Low High * Only asked for Hospital/ Medical School, n=171 Base size for Public Health too small to list separately, n=8

31 Success factors & barriers: Hospitals + Public Health who consider original research or review articles important Q2/6. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your hospital/ organisation. Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents considering original research or review articles important (5, 6 or 7 on scale) (n=171) Q3/7. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your hospital/ organisation? Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents ranking factors and considering original research or review articles important (5, 6 or 7 on scale) (n=171) 31 Barriers Quality of staff 6.7 Too much bureaucracy 0.67 Quality of leadership 6.5 Funding* 0.59 Attracting quality staff 6.5 Quality of leadership 0.43 Well maintained hospital* 6.4 Bed capacity* 0.20 Funding* 6.4 Attracting quality staff 0.19 Training Quality of equipment Technology/ Software/ Comms Patient information* Minimal bureaucracy Sufficient operating theatres* Clear legal and ethical frameworks* Bed capacity* Access to latest drug therapies* Quality of staff Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Poorly maintained hospital* Access to information Sufficient operating theatres* Access to latest drug therapies* Unclear legal/ ethical frameworks* Quality of equipment Unavailable patient information* Access to expertise/ consultancy ranked 10 th out of 16, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Not at all Extremely ranked 8th out of 15, in terms of perceived importance to the success of organisation Low High * Only asked for Hospital/ Medical School, n=163 Base size for Public Health too small to list separately, n=8

32 Success factors: Hospitals + Public Health 32 Q2/6. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your hospital/ organisation. Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents (n=179) Q3/7. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your hospital/ organisation? Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents (n=179) vs. Barriers High Barrier 0.7 Bureaucracy Relative barrier to success** Low Barrier 0 Bed capacity* Funding* Leadership Attracting staff Tech/ Soft/ Comms Staff Sufficient operating theatres* Training Well maintained Access to latest drug hospital* therapies* Equipment Clear legal and ethical Patient information* 4 5 frameworks 6 7 Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High ** Index number plotted is the product of average rank position and proportion of base selecting factor. * Only asked for Hospital/ Medical School, n=171 Base size for Public Health too small to list separately, n=8

33 access: Hospitals + Public Health 33 Q8. When it comes to information, how important is it that you have access to the types of information listed below?. Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents (n=179) Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? Base: Hospital + Public Health respondents rating factors as imp ortant. (n=179) 90 types: vs. Ease of access 80 CME/Educational content Patent information Reference works Review papers in journals Patient details Original research articles in journals Ease of access* (% Very + Fairly easy) Vendor white papers Technical reports from gov't agencies Legislative /Regulatory info Prof/Trade publications Technical info Conference proceedings Scientific and technical standards Market research reports Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High * Level of access only asked for those factors rated as important

34 Research Institute + Governmental 34

35 Success factors & barriers: Research Institute + Governmental 35 Q2/4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents (n=121) Q3/5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your institute? Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents (n=121) Barriers Funding^ 6.3 Too much bureaucracy 0.56 Quality of staff 6.3 Quality of leadership 0.44 Attracting quality staff 6.1 Funding^ 0.37 Time to conduct research^ Quality of leadership Quality of equipment Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Autonomy to set research direction^ Seed funding for new ideas^ Support for proposals^ Attracting quality staff Time to conduct research^ Quality of staff Access to information Technology/ Software/ Comms Support for proposals^ Access to expertise/ consultancy Quality of equipment ranked 7 th out of 15, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Minimal bureaucracy 5.2 Training 0.04 Clear legal and ethical frameworks^ 4.8 Autonomy to set research direction^ 0.04 Access to academic expertise* 4.7 Unclear legal/ ethical frameworks^ 0.03 Access to commercial expertise* 3.9 Seed funding for new ideas^ Not at all Extremely ranked 4th out of 16, in terms of perceived importance to the success of organisation Low High * Only asked for Governmental, n=65 ^ Only asked for Research Institutes, n=56

36 Success factors & barriers: Research Institute + Governmental who consider original research or review articles important Q2/4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: Research Institute + Governmental respondents considering original research or review articles important (5, 6 or 7 on scale) (n=105) Q3/5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your hospital/ organisation? Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents ranking factors and considering original research or review articles important (n=105) 36 Barriers Quality of staff 6.4 Too much bureaucracy 0.50 Funding^ 6.3 Quality of leadership Funding^ 0.39 Attracting quality staff Time to conduct research^ Quality of leadership Quality of equipment Technology/ Software/ Comms Training Autonomy to set research direction^ Seed funding for new ideas^ Minimal bureaucracy Time to conduct research^ Attracting quality staff Technology/ Software/ Comms Quality of staff Access to information Support for proposals^ Access to expertise/ consultancy Quality of equipment ranked 8 th out of 15, in terms of being perceived as a barrier to success Support for proposals^ 5.2 Autonomy^ 0.05 Access to academic expertise* 5.1 Unclear legal/ ethical frameworks^ 0.04 Clear legal and ethical frameworks^ 4.8 Seed funding for new ideas^ 0.04 Access to commerical expertise* 4.0 Training Not at all Extremely ranked 3rd out of 16, in terms of perceived importance to the success of organisation Low High * Only asked for governmental, n=50 ^ Only asked for research institutes, n=55

37 Success factors: Research Institute + Governmental 37 Q2/4. Many factors are important when considering the success of an organisation. Please rate the factors below in terms of their importance for the success of your institute. Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents (n=121) Q3/5. And, of these factors which three are currently the biggest barriers to success at your institute? Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents (n=121) High Barrier 0.7 vs. Barriers Relative barrier to success** Low Barrier 0 Bureaucracy Time to conduct research^ Tech/ Soft/ Comms Leadership Funding^ Attracting staff Staff Clear legal and ethical Support for proposals^ Access commerical frameworks^ Equipment expertise* Autonomy^ Training Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High ** Index number plotted is the product of average rank position and proportion of base selecting factor. * Only asked for Governmental, n=65 ^ Only asked for Research Institutes, n=56

38 access: Research Institute + Governmental 38 Q8. When it comes to information, how important is it that you have access to the types of information listed below?. Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents (n=121) Q8b. And of the various information types which you consider important, how would you describe your level of access to them? Base: Research institute + Governmental respondents rating factors as important. (n=121) types: vs. Ease of access Ease of access* (% Very + Fairly easy) Vendor white papers Clinical guidelines CME/Educational content Scientific and technical standards Technical reports from gov't agencies Legislative /Regulatory info Patent information Market research reports Doctoral theses/ dissertations Reference works Prof/Trade publications Technical info Original research articles in journals Conference proceedings Patient details Low Average importance to success of organisation (rating scale, 1-7) High * Level of access only asked for those factors rated as important

39 Supporting analyses 39

40 Most popular channels of access Q9. How often do you access information that you require, via the following channels? (Scale: Daily, 2-3 times per week, Weekly, Monthly, Every 2-3 months, Every 3-6 months, Annually, Less often, Never) Base: Total of each group. 40 % of respondents using channel with any frequency (all responses except never ) SMEs n=186 Large companies n=111 University/ College n=470 Hospital + Public Health n=179 Research + Gov t n=121 Other n=63 Prof/soc membership 8 87% % Institute/ company subscription 77% 86% 96% 88% 89% 6 Open access journal 7 68% 8 87% 8 7 Gov't database 68% 78% 69% 8 77% 7 Personal subscription 66% 77% 6 88% 68% 7 Author's own web page 66% 68% % Elec database subs by company 6 78% 79% 86% 78% 68% Online Pay Per View % 3 5 In-house info service 56% % 86% 68% Approach author directly 5 56% 89% Local academic library % % Colleagues' personal subscription 48% % 48% Institutional rep/ online preprint % Inter-lib loan via local lib 4 47% % Local public library 38% %

41 Channels of access 41 Q9. How often do you access information that you require, via the following channels? Via an open access journal Online Pay Per View Approach the author directly Author's own web page Inter library loan via a local library Via a local academic library (not your place of work) Via a local public library Professional/ society membership Institute/company subscription Colleagues' personal subscription Personal subscription Via in-house information service Institutional repository or online preprint server Electronic database to which the institute/ company subscribes Government database SMEs (n=186) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months 18% 2 19% 2 16% 8% 8% 18% 3 26% 16% 17% % 4 6% 1 6% % 16% 1 9% 8% 6% 1 9% % 9% 17% 17% 17% 1 Less often 17% 9% 1 9% 8% 1 8% 1 19% 2 27% % Never 3 37% 58% % 6 49% 58% 3 48% 37% 29% Large companies (n=111) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months % 1 2 8% 6% % % 49% 1 8% 16% % 8% 8% % 1 9% 18% Less often % 7% 1 18% 1 19% % 26% % Never % % 3 University /College (n=470) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months Less often 6% % 69% 16% 9% 2 19% 2 17% 26% 29% 1 19% 4 6% 1 17% % 1 9% 8% 1 16% 8% % 3 7% 16% % 18% 1 18% % Never % 26% 38% 5 17% 59% 4 28% 16% 1 6 1

42 Channels of access 42 Q9. How often do you access information that you require, via the following channels? Via an open access journal Online Pay Per View Approach the author directly Author's own web page Inter library loan via a local library Via a local academic library (not your place of work) Via a local public library Professional/ society membership Institute/company subscription Colleagues' personal subscription Personal subscription Via in-house information service Institutional repository or online preprint server Electronic database to which the institute/ company subscribes Government database Hospital + Public Health (n=179) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months Less often % 39% % % % 18% 26% % % 1 9% 8% 18% % 17% 18% 18% % 1 8% % 2 9% Never 18% 1 47% % 1 7% 5 26% 26% 39% 36% 4 1 Research Institute + Gov t (n=121) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months Less often 19% % 6% 47% 18% 7% 9% 6% % 2 28% 27% % 9% % 16% 7% % 2 26% 1 1 7% 7% 6% 1 1 6% % 1 1 Never % 46% 36% 26% 26% 6 19% Other (n=63) Several times per week Weekly to monthly Every 2-6 months 8% 2 6% 38% % 1 6% 3 29% 19% 19% 3 19% 19% 38% 1 2 8% 2 1 6% 3 16% 16% 6% 8% % 16% % 27% 16% Less often 1 1 8% 8% 16% 6% % % 17% Never % 5 37% 2 48% % 27%

43 How articles are discovered 43 Q16. In reference to this article, how did you learn about it? Base: All who have had difficulty accessing an article recently SMEs Large companies University/ College Hospital + Public Health Research Institute + Gov t Other (n=103) (n=38) (n=114) (n=83) (n=32) (n=25) Searching using a general search engine such as Google, Yahoo, LiveSearch Searching on a specialist search engine (e.g. Scopus, Web of Science, GoogleScholar, INSPEC, PubMed etc) % 17% % % 4 48% A cited reference in a publication Notified by a colleague or friend 16% 7% 16% 1 It was referred to on a speciality website % 2 Read about it in a magazine or newspaper 8% 9% Heard about it on TV, radio 8% Mainly using general search engines, with greater than average tendency to make use of word-of-mouth and references from websites. Much greater usage of specialist search engines and citations Largely using specialist search engines and citations, but more likely than other groups to use speciality websites and word-of-mouth

44 Likelihood to use alternative routes to an article 44 Q17. Which of the following did you do to obtain this article? Note: Question was asked only of those who reported experiencing difficulty with accessing a journal article, numbers represent percentages of the total population of each subgroup SMEs Large companies University/ College Hospital + Public Health Research Institute + Gov t Other (n=186) (n=111) (n=470) (n=179) (n=121) (n=63) Check access via your organisation s library or inhouse information service Check access via your local academic library (if not based in academia) 8% 1 6% 1 1 7% 6% Check access via a local public library Check access via a colleagues subscription 8% 6% 6% Request an interlibrary loan from a library 6% 1 8% Approach the author directly 6% 6% 7% 6% Use a service such as patientinform, AGORA, HINARI, OARE etc Look for an early version of the article on the web 1 9% 6% 8% 17% Did not try any of the methods listed 6% 8% 6%

45 Intended use of article 45 Q18. How did you intend to use this article that you had difficulty accessing? Base: All who have had difficulty accessing an article recently SMEs Large companies University/ College Hospital + Public Health Research Ins + Gov t Other (n=103) (n=38) (n=114) (n=83) (n=32) (n=25) Use it for work purposes 86% 76% 59% General interest 6% 8% 1 Use it for my studies 6% 28% 29% 2 16% To get a better understanding of a medical condition either for myself or on behalf of a family member or friend 8% Other (please specify) 8% 1 1 Q19. How specifically, did you intend to use this article? Base: All who have had difficulty accessing an article recently, and intended to use article for work purposes or general interest SMEs Large companies University/ College Hospital + Public Health Research Ins + Gov t Other (n=95) (n=32) (n=68) (n=48) (n=24) (n=18) Competitor intelligence Keeping up-to-date 17% 19% Help resolve a technical or clinical issue 29% 28% % 4 Background literature search 46% % 28% Other (please specify) 6% 6% 6% 8% 17% Q20. Thinking of the most recent article which you had difficult y accessing, how important was it to access? Base: All who have had difficulty accessing an article recently % Important (rated 5, 6 or 7) % 69% 6 Mean importance (7=Extremely important)

46 Demographics 46

47 Demographics: Area 47 Q25. How would you classify the area you work in? TOTAL (n=1130) SME (n=186) Large corp (n=111) University / College (n=470) Hospital + Pub. Health (n=179) Research Inst. + Gov t (n=121) Other (n=63) Health Sciences % 9% 16% Materials Science & Engineering 1 16% 26% 1 1 6% Social Sciences 8% 16% Chemistry & Chemical Engineering 7% 1 1 7% Biological Sciences 7% 9% 2 Mathematics & Computer Sciences 6% 7% 7% 6% Environmental Sciences 1 Physics 6% Life Sciences Neuroscience Earth Sciences General 7% Pharmacology & Toxicology Arts & Humanities Other 17% 2 28% %

48 Demographics: Role 48 Q29. What is your MAIN role within your organisation? TOTAL (n=1130) SME (n=186) Large corp (n=111) University / College (n=470) Hospital + Pub. Health (n=179) Research Inst. + Gov t (n=121) Other (n=63) Research/ development % 56% Practitioner Teaching 8% 19% 8% Management 8% R&D and teaching equally 7% 1 6% Advisory /Consultancy 6% 1 1 7% 1 Engineering 1 2 8% Student [Post-graduate] Marketing/ Sales 8% Administration Student [Graduate] Member of public Other 7% 8% 7% 1 7% 17%

49 Demographics: Age 49 Q30. Which of the following categories does your age fall into? TOTAL (n=1130) SME (n=186) Large corp (n=111) University / College (n=470) Hospital + Pub. Health (n=179) Research Inst. + Gov t (n=121) Other (n=63) Under to to % to % 2 18% 26% 27% 56 to % Over 65 16% Prefer not to say