Perspectives on History Survey Results
Question 33
(For readers of online version only)
Briefly tell us how Perspectives Online may be improved (90 responses):
1. I frequently have a problem logging in to the Job Guide portion of Perspectives Online that I would like to have resolved.
2. Perhaps articles linking secondary Advanced Placement teaching in the history discipline and college. There is a significant number of PhDs teaching at the secondary level.
3. I don’t really use Online much but realize that maybe I should start doing so
4. OK as is
5. Maybe a downloadable version?
6. I really only consult the online version to access past articles as needed. For ex., I recently wanted to consult things about assessment that I remembered seeing previously in Perspectives.
7. I do not use it as independent source and thus cannot have an informed opinion
8. No ideas here.
9. An option to receive notices of AHA blog posts
10. Formatting could take advantage of color photography more. The main advantage, and the thing I really wish AHA would do to lower costs, is not mail me a hard copy of Perspectives as well. I live in Canada, postage is an issue, and it’s just unnecessarily redundant.
11. See the comment I left in box on previous page, about the limitations of the search function for the online job listings, and how I wish you’d copy the search template used for H-NET job listings.
12. N/A
13. A guide to other sources—blogs, websites—that might be of interest to historians particularly a guide to roundtable discussions, which are replacing the traditional review format or brief notices of recent publications.
14. It could become a vehicle for helping members respond to federal legislation, expand the list of available articles (we cannot all get into the AHR), and perhaps share syllabi and bibligraphies to help beginning instructors.
15. I rarely read the online version unless my print copy is missing, though I sometimes scan through stuff that is more timely
16. Perhaps increase the amount of Technology coverage online, as folks who are accessing the site are likely more interested. Maybe more content from graduate students?
17. You omit two above: printing selected articles to pdfs, and saving with products like SurfSaver (see above on reviewing academic software). I think you reviewed Zotero, but it has problems once the database grows.
18. There’s a certain amt of fluff in the current print version of Perspectives. The listings might also be better on line—they’re more easily searchable that way. With those categories removed to the on line version, there’ll be more room for serious content that can go in both print and on line versions.
19. First, it is a valuable archive—don’t change that. Specific online only articles might draw more readers to online version. Print edition is still easiest to read for most current AHA members, but that will change as the generations change.
20. I am much more likely to read and print articles from the AHR online than Perspectives. Since Perspectives articles are short and newsworthy, I tend to read the magazine on the train or on the bus or over lunch, and not sitting down in my office or at the computer. The AHR, however, I almost exclusively view its contents online as soon as it arrives and then print out relevant articles for me to read, mark with notes, and retain.
21. Although I find the paper Perspectives convenient to carry around and easier to search job ads, I support a move to an online version in the interest of environmental issues, and with the knowledge that other professional organizations have largely moved their job ads online; and that the next generations will have much greater facility with online searching than I do.
22. The front page of the Perspectives web site could go directly to the current TOC. I do flip through my printed Perspectives.
23. Are the articles peer-reviewed? Would members-only content help or hurt? Are articles in back issues utilized that much? Should it be used as a recruiting tool, or should it change to reflect new constituencies (like AP history teachers) only after they have been brought into the organization in larger numbers? Would more people read it if it featured more debates?
24. The online only articles would allow more information to be put forth, but the articles need to be referenced in the print wersion. This will ensure that members who don’t read the e-mail notifications are aware of the articles.
25. The primary advantage would be the use of links within the articles to sources.
26. Basically to balance content perspectives.
27. Larger text, some line leading, and a sans serif font.
28. That would depend on what the mission of Perspectives Online is supposed to be and whether that mission changes as times change.
29. I read it once, and that was enough.
30. Same as above concerning more ancient history.
31. Combine the annual articles on salaries into a single web page that allows easy reference and comparison. Increasingly faculty need credible numbers (usually using CUPA data) to justify new lines, raises, and other related requests. This would be a really useful service, particularly if it could be pointed to as a comprehensive and authoritative presentation of the national governing History association.
32. Take better advantage of format (more links and room for comments)
33. While I prefer the physical copy, I think that if Perspectives Online continues, it might as well be the sole incarnation of Perspectives. I can adapt.
34. Provide members the option to not receive the print version. I don’t read the online version very much because I get the print version of Perspectives, but I’d rather not waste the paper.
35. This doesn’t answer your question BUT I skim the online version, to see if there’s something I wish to truly READ. Then, when the print version arrives, I study the issue more carefully. So I use both versions, but differently. They complement each other
36. I don’t use it much but would be likely to read it more often if I knew that new items were posted regularly that would not end up appearing in the print version. Online version could be newsier, print version more featurey.
37. Maybe a section on new books published.
38. If Perspectives Online had content that for space, financial or time issues is not included in the print version, and these were substantive and timely (perhaps in response to recent events or in response to articles in the print version) I would be more likely to view it.
39. Q4 asks: What are the aspects of Perspectives Online that you like? My true answer isn’t there: reduce wasted paper & cost of mailing to AHA.
40. I am happy with the current format.
41. I only read it when I am away from my office. It is easy to access and to read. I am just a paper person.
42. Online version could contain more discrete job listings like those on H-Net (junior Colleges, etc.)
43. It should highlight, perhaps more effectively, critical issues that will be addressed in both the Online and print editions.
44. No special ideas about the online version—see my comments on print version above
45. more essays
46. I would much rather read the print version. The online seems to be at work and less a pleasure. The print is available for leisure, when I am not at the computer.
47. No specific comment
48. Perhaps by offering additional content not found in the print version and added to the Web site between issues. The model for this is The Atlantic Monthly.
49. Instead of publishing new content as the print version appears, Perspectives Online could benefit from being more current than the print version by publishing content as it comes in, independent of print deadlines.
50. Perhaps give more emphasis to time-sensitive stories , deadlines, CFP’s. The main reason I look at the online version is because the printed version takes quite a while to get to the West Coast.
51. Clearly the flexibility of online publication could be used to enhance articles and to publish material which would not work in print. Online versions could be longer, more detailed; Film articles could include clips, etc., etc.
52. Better web layout would be nice... but not necessary
53. I use this more on an as-needed basis if searching for something. I would consider submitting essays for publication if they were paid for (e.g. like Chronicle of Higher Ed pays).
54. You are doing an excellent job!
55. If it’s used as a supplement to the print version, then cut the length of the print version and/or offer members a chance to opt out of the print version (to save on paper)
56. I’m not sure. Perhaps some features of PO be used (1) to deepen the content of PO’s relatively short articles, for ex., with links to text and image sources on the web; or (2) to build an online community of historians by (say) inviting responses to articles.
57. See comment for question #7
58. If it mimics the print version, then I’ve probably already read it by the time it is online
59. Unsure, i probably need to read this more often as well. i like knowing i can apparently contribute articles to it.
60. Reconsider present format, as you are doing
61. More URL’s that link to the story/article.
]62. More photos
63. No opinion here.
64. Blend the blog and Perspectives, and make the combined product a regular source of substantial content.
65. Please do not move to a second-string online only set of articles. If it has sufficient merit to appear, it should appear in print as well as on line. If it does not merit print, it is ephemera at best and fluff at worst. Do NOT convert this into a free-association blog-like realm of unconsidered opinion.
66. I have no real opinion. It’s just another form of access for me, though, ironically, it’s easier to figure out what I want to read in this version than in the printed one.
67. No idea
68. Larger backfile
69. Add non-western and ancient history
70. By adding related articles, perhaps containing more detailed reading, to those already published. Adding blogs dedicated to special topics.
71. Well, theoretically an online publication can be very long without great costs. So, you could include supplements to articles, documents, etc.
72. Special section for graduate students
73. Spread the word; let people know it’s there.
74. I do think that you can use graphics more intensively than in the printed version
75. NA
76. If Perspectives Online has web-only content, I would like to see this content included in the print version table of contents—at least as long as a print version is still published
77. List of books recently published, divided by specialization, so readers can stay abreast of the literature.
78. Same comment as for the paper version: less well-intentioned circular speech; more profession-related news and attempts to resolve historical controversies
79. I use it when I don’t have access to the printed version. Otherwise, I like skimming the print version. I spend too much time online to want to read things there I can read in other ways!
80. More content devoted to the real work of an historian, including knew research techniques, methodologies, etc.
81. Offer more visuals and interactivity not possible in print. Allowing for article discussion just like in blog posts would also be a great Web 2.0 feature.
82. My biggest issue is that it is not clear how you can search Perspectives online—there is that Google box, but that searches the entire AHA website. I am also not overly fond of that blue font, but that’s not important.
83. As an historian who has had to read lots of microfilm and microform and barely legible mss. documents, I have never been able to become a huge fan of online reading! I assume things like print size and layout would help—but, if there is an article I really want to read that is online (in whatever online service), I may glance at it online and, if I think it important, I print it out. So, I’m not the best person to ask!
84. More information, less opinion.
85. No suggestions
86. Greater use of illustrations; emphasis on internet resources
87. Have everything online.
88 Cannot answer. Opinion would be directed too much toward one discipline.
89. No ideas
90. It’s fine. I like the online edition for a quick survey of the contents, but the print edition is handier for me, and I read it more often.
© American Historical Association
Last Updated: November 18, 2008 4:22 PM