Requests are received to use the Alexandria Digital Library (ADL) interface/system for evaluation studies from time to time. It is in the interest of ADL to encourage and support formal evaluation studies, especially if the results are shared with ADL. However, such evaluation studies may also require support from the ADL Team that will have an impact on staff resources. The purpose of this policy is to encourage good evaluation research studies based on the use of ADL while controlling the impact on ADL staff.

Procedure:

1. Applications to evaluate the ADL interface should be made to the Evaluation Team by email to
   alex-uie@alexandria.ucsb.edu.
2. Applicants will need to provide descriptions of their studies that include
1. the name of the principal researcher, organization, purpose of the study, and contact information
2. the number and type of participants
3. the time frame of the study
4. the equipment and network environment for the study, and
5. the research questions, data collection, and analysis plans.
3. ADL may propose revisions to the study plan if the plan does not take into account
1. the purpose of ADL
2. the status of the interface
3. the collections and services available, and
4. the support needed from ADL staff to support the study.
4. The ADL Evaluation Team will accept or reject evaluation requests based on the quality of the research proposal and the ability of the ADL staff to provide the support required in the time frame requested.
5. The ADL Executive Committee will give the final approval based on the Evaluation Team recommendation.
6. To protect the privacy of user session logs, evaluators must comply with all relevant legal requirements for informed consent before ADL will provide access to the session logs of study participants.
7. A copy of the final report and the study data in electronic form for all completed evaluation studies must be submitted to the ADL Evaluation Team; these will be made available through the ADL internal web.