An Analysis of the Current Status of E-Book Reader Applications in Iran: Insights from Medical Publishers
Journal of Medical Library and Information Science,
Vol. 6 (2025),
5 April 2025
,
Page 1-12
https://doi.org/10.22037/jmlis.v6i.46985
Abstract
Introduction: Electronic book (e-book) reader programs providing rapid access to books. These programs encounter significant challenges in Iran. This study aims to explore the obstacles publishers face in the electronic publishing industry, and evaluate the current state of Persian-language book reader programs from the publishers’ viewpoint.
Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach, gathering data through semi-structured interviews, engaging publishers with at least 10% of their catalog dedicated to medical books, and collaborating with Persian book-reading programs. The questions focused on the challenges of electronic publishing, the economic aspects of digital publishing, and the future prospects of this industry in Iran. The present study initially selected 30 publishers through purposive sampling, followed by a snowball sampling. The data were coded, categorized, and analyzed.
Results: The study’s results revealed that publishers face several challenges, such as technical difficulties in preparing e-books, copyright issues, collaboration challenges between publishers and e-readers, and financial challenges. Medical publishers face specific problems, such as the difficulty of organizing resources in the original language and the lack of a suitable market for specialized medical books in the digital space.
Conclusion: E-book reader applications in Iran are hindered by various challenges that reflect limitations in technical, economic, cultural, and social fields. These challenges affect publishers’ collaboration with the e-book reader app, and reduce user satisfaction. The analysis emphasizes the critical need for improved interaction between publishers and designers and suggest a pressing need to reevaluate the design and management of these applications to better align with user needs.
- E-book reader applications
- Medical publication
- E-book
- Publishers
- Iran
How to Cite
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