How faculty from Pula, Dubrovnik, Varaždin, Koprivnica and Osijek use Web-based scientific literature: analysis based on their age, gender, field of science and literature exchange practices

Abstract

The research goal of this paper was to explore the use of web sources of scientific literature by members of the faculties from universities in Croatian cities of Pula, Dubrovnik, Varaždin, Koprivnica and Osijek. The questionnaire was sent to members of the faculties and their answers were analyzed with regard to these variables: age and gender of respondents; their practices of exchanging scientific literature; field of science in which they are working. It was found out that the most frequent users of Croatian web portals are participants from the field of humanities, participants of older age and female participants. The most frequent users of foreign web portals are participants from the field of social sciences and female participants, while participants of all ages use them equally. The most frequent users of pirate web portals are participants from the field of humanities, while participants of both genders use them equally. The Croatian web portal Hrcak is very frequently used by almost all participants from the field of humanities, about half of participants from the field of social sciences and only about one third of participants from the field of technical sciences.