To explore these questions further, a semester long investigation was conducted utilizing two types of research. First, the published literature from various digitization projects was examined for evidence that might explain how and if digitization leads to increased use of original objects. Second, a series of questionnaires were written and used as data gathering tools. The questionnaires were sent to randomly selected research libraries with established or growing digital collections. These collections contained both text based items and images that have been digitized from their physical holdings. Within these institutions, librarians, curators, bibliographers and conservators were targeted as respondents. The surveys for the different professions were slightly altered, based on the premise that each set of respondents would have different perspectives and experiences to draw upon.

The overall goal of the combined analysis was threefold:

• to determine if there is statistical evidence to support the assertion that digitization leads to increased use of the original;
• to look for other evidence besides statistical to indicate increased use and;
• if there is such evidence, to discover the cause or causes for increased use of originals after digitization.