Why are TexQuest statistics changing?
- Due to changing global statistics standards, most Record Views, Result Clicks, Regular Searches, and Full Text Documents are being phased out and replaced with Total_Item_Investigations, Total_Item_Requests, and Searches_Regular. The old statistics, Record Views and Result Clicks, are particularly confusing and imprecise. The old statistic, Full Text Documents, is limited to text materials. The new statistics strive for more clarity, precision, and inclusion.
Is there a "cross walk" for the old and new TexQuest statistics?
- The old and new TexQuest statistics are not directly equivalent. Total_Item_Requests are similar to Full Text Documents, however, the new statistic includes all materials and file types. Total_Item_Investigations are similar to Record Views plus Full Text Documents. Searches_Regular are equivalent to Regular Searches (aka Searches). See the next section for details and graphics.
What are Searches_Regular, Total_Item_Investigations, and Total_Item_Requests?
Definitions of the new statistics follow:
- Searches_Regular is the number of times a user searches a database.
- A Total_Item_Investigation is tracked whenever a user performs any action related to viewing a content item or title or viewing the item’s metadata.
- For example, if a user does a search then clicks on two article abstracts, downloads the PDF for one article, and downloads one video record within the same session, this counts as four Investigations.
- Total_Item_Request is tracked whenever a user views or downloads any full content item, including articles, books, videos, audio files, etc. in all file formats.
- For example, if a user does a search then views an article in PDF and HTML within the same session, this counts as one Request. Below are two charts to help visualize the relationship between Investigations and Requests.

COUNTER graphics used with the permission of Project COUNTER
More information can be found at:
1. Release 5.0.2 Librarians PDF
2. Understanding Investigations and requests
3. Friendly Guide
What is the difference between Record Views and Result Clicks?
- A "Record View" is a very specific transaction where the user has viewed the detailed metadata record from a given database - e.g. to see the abstract and subject headings, etc. A record view could occur from a user clicking on the result list, or navigating detailed records or even linking in from another site - it is about viewing the detailed record.
- A "Result Click" is about the activity that happens on the search result list and it is tracking any click the user might have made on a result from a given database. Some examples of Result Clicks are: a user clicks the "findIt@my library" link; the user clicks to view full text; the user clicks to see the full record; the user clicks to "request article via ILL"; etc. In each case, the user has expressed interest in the result by clicking on something - and since that expression of interest can be attributed to the database that contained the metadata it also serves to indicate the value of the database.
More information on these measures can be found at:
- Code Practice
- Guides to Counter
What are the Full Text Documents statistics on ChalkDUST?
- ChalkDUST includes old Full Text Documents statistics from Gale ChiltonLibrary and EBSCO’s eBooks and LearningExpress.
- The new statistic, Total_Item_Requests, is the closest equivalent to the old Full Text Documents statistic and includes all materials and file types. ChalkDUST includes new Total_Item_Requests from Britannica, Gale resources except ChiltonLibrary, Infobase, ProQuest, and TeachingBooks.
How do I view statistics for a particular month or for a database? How do I derive subtotals and totals?
- The ChalkDUST application provides you with information in spreadsheet format to permit maximum flexibility for your needs.
- Use the "SORT" or "FILTER" functions on your spreadsheet application to view customized reports. The flexibility of these reports is only limited by your creativity with Microsoft Excel (or your favorite spreadsheet application).