Assessing the Academic Networked Environment: Strategies and Options

February 1996

By

Charles R. McClure, cmcclure@mailbox.syr.edu
&
Cynthia Lopata

School of Information Studies
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244-4100
315-443-2911

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgements

Part 1: Introduction

Background on the Development of this Manual
Objectives of the Manual
Audience
Organization of the Manual
Defining the Campus Network
Performance Measures and Evaluation
Assessment in the Distributed Network and Computing Environment
Importance of Management Information Systems
Integrating Evaluation into the Planning Process
Using the Manual
Encouraging Network Assessment

Part II: Collecting and Using Qualitative Data

Overview of Qualitative Techniques
Key Networking Topics and Issues
Strategies for Successful Evaluations
Summary

Part III: Measures

USERS

Network Users
COSTS

Technology Expenditures
NETWORK TRAFFIC

Network Traffic Measures
Router Traffic as a Measure of Overall Campus Network Activity
Modem Traffic into the Campus Network
Internet Traffic
USE

Frequency of Email Use
Use of Clusters or Public Sites to Access the Network
Network Applications
Internet Access to Shared Servers
NETWORK SERVICES

Online Library Catalog Measures
Campus-Wide Information Services (CWIS)
Distance Learning
SUPPORT SERVICES

Help Desk
Network Repair and Services
Availability of Networked Resources
Network Support Staff
Network Training
Network Documentation Available to Users
PART IV: User Survey

PART V: The Need for Assessment Techniques

APPENDIX A: Self-Assessment Tools

  • Self-Assessment for Campus Information Technology Services

  • HEIRAlliance Evaluation Guidelines for Institutional Information Resources

    APPENDIX B: Data Collection Forms

    APPENDIX C: Information on Software Products that Measure or Count Network Services and Applications

    APPENDIX D: Information Technology Surveys

    References

    About the Authors