Comparison between user affinity with digital libraries and virtual communities

Abstract

There is ongoing discussion about the value and reliability of information produced by experts and organized by digital libraries in universities versus information produced by the crowd in virtual communities. This study compares users' perceptions of digital libraries and virtual communities in terms of affinity. In this study, affinity with digital libraries or virtual communities is defined as the degree of importance that users place on digital libraries or virtual communities. Data collected from 334 users of digital libraries and virtual communities were used for data analysis. The statistical method of 'compare means' is employed. We find the mean of affinity with digital libraries is significantly larger than that of virtual communities, suggesting users are likely to perceive higher levels of affinity with digital libraries than with virtual communities. More analysis oriented to different groups is also conducted. The findings and their implications are discussed.