Author: Dr Rachel Quirk, Martin Olver, Dr Max Hammond and Dr Claire Davies
Date: December 2008
Document type: Case Study
Link: The Guide to Researching Audiences: Case Studies
Summary:
The case studies offer in-depth studies of the audience analysis activities undertaken by 10 public sector institutions to inform the service they provide. The case studies cover a diverse range of initiatives including the development of the BBC i-player, the Europeana project, the digitisation of the John Johnson collection and the JISC national e-books observatory project.
Case one: Archival Sound Recordings
Summary: Audience analysis to inform the design of a website to increase access for the UK HE and FE community to an extensive collection of archival sound recordings.
Case two: Arthritis Source
Summary: Audience analysis to inform redesign of a health information website for non-specialists.
Case Three: Design of the BBC iPlayer2
Summary: Investigating the likely impact of the new design on audience perceptions of the BBC iPlayer2.
Case Four: Digitisation of the John Johnson Collection
Summary: Audience analysis to support an application for funding to digitise the John Johnson Collection and demonstrate return on investment.
Case Five: Europeana Project
Summary: User testing as part of an iterative user-centred design process for a European cultural heritage web portal.
Case Six: JISC National e-Books Observatory Project
Summary: Research conducted as part of the JISC national e-books observatory projects to investigate the demand, usage, delivery and business models for e-books.
Case Seven: London Museums Hub
Summary: Audience analysis to inform institutional strategy and understand the relationship between digital and non-digital services at the London Hub museums.
Case Eight: Oldbaileyonline
Summary: Audience analysis to support an application for funding to digitise the Old Bailey Proceedings and inform service design and development.
Case Nine: Penn Data Farm
Summary: An ambitious project to collect, analyse and exploit audience data to optimise design and delivery of library services and resources at the University of Pennsylvania.
Case Ten: Teens, Music and Technology: BBC Research
Summary: Research conducted by the BBC to investigate the role that music plays in the lives of young people and the extent to which young people use technology to access music with their friends.