El Salvador’s Innovative Chatbot: Transforming Research4Life Engagement
In 2023, El Salvador became the first Spanish-speaking country to join the Research4Life Country Connectors program, marking a significant milestone for the initiative. This collaboration was made possible through a partnership with the Consortium of University Libraries of El Salvador (CBUES)—a non-religious, non-profit, and apolitical association dedicated to strengthening research and teaching capacity across the country. By pooling resources and standardizing digitization efforts, CBUES has built a robust infrastructure for knowledge dissemination.
Irma Lopez, El Salvador Country Connector
One of the most exciting outcomes of this collaboration has been the creation of a chatbot, spearheaded by the Country Connector team, Irma López and Julio Cesar Bailon Salguero. Launched in October 2023, it is designed to streamline communication and improve accessibility, the chatbot has become a central tool in raising awareness and engagement with Research4Life resources.
Irma Lopez said, “the Research4Life chatbot is an innovative tool that streamlines access to information, facilitating the work of researchers, teachers and librarians in El Salvador”.
How It Works
The chatbot serves as an interactive guide, directing users to a dedicated Research4Life page. With just a few clicks, librarians, researchers, and educators can quickly locate the resources they need—whether it’s journal access, training materials, or answers to frequently asked questions.
In this Q&A, we dive deeper into the chatbot’s development, its impact, and what the future holds for this innovative tool in El Salvador.
What inspired the development of the chatbot for Research4Life in El Salvador?
Julio Cesar Bailon Salguero – El Salvador Country Connector
The inspiration came from the need to facilitate access to and effective use of Research4Life’s electronic resources. This would support learning, research, and training in academic and research institutions across the country. “We designed this chatbot to allow users to access Research4Life information in seconds, optimizing their time and enhancing their search experience,” added Julio Bailon Salguero.
Can you explain the design and launch process of the chatbot? What challenges did you face?
The process included:
- Identifying needs and use cases
- Developing a prototype based on frequently asked questions
- Testing with key users, such as librarians and researchers
What are the main features of the chatbot? What are its key benefits, and how does it help users access Research4Life resources?
- Quick responses, providing direct access to a dedicated Research4Life El Salvador web page.
- Benefits:
- Simplifies navigation within Research4Life
- Improves training opportunities
- Saves users’ time
Can you give an example of how it has been used effectively?
Through the chatbot, a user is able to access relevant information about Research4Life in a few minutes, including frequently asked questions, material available in Spanish, trainings carried out in the country and details of each specific Research4Life collection, thanks to the recommendations provided by the chatbot.
What has been the reception from researchers, librarians, and other users? Can you share any statistics that highlight the chatbot’s impact so far?
The reception has been positive, especially among librarians, who see it as a practical tool for answering common questions and accessing Spanish-language information about Research4Life. In its first few months, the chatbot has handled more than 114 inquiries.
What lessons have you learned from user feedback since the chatbot’s launch?
Users appreciate clear and contextualized responses, but they also request more content in Spanish and guides on Research4Life.
Are there any planned features or improvements for the chatbot?
We are working on integrating more frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Research4Life.
What advice would you give to other Country Connectors who want to develop similar tools?
- Identify local needs before developing the tool.
- Involve end users in the design and testing phases.
- Prioritize accessibility and support the local language.
What does the chatbot’s success mean for the future of Research4Life in El Salvador and beyond?
The chatbot’s success demonstrates the positive impact of accessible technology on research and education. It strengthens the connection between users and Research4Life resources, marking a step toward digital transformation in the region. Moreover, it serves as inspiration for implementing similar solutions in other countries.
