Search (114 results, page 6 of 6)

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Abstract

This experiment explores the effectiveness of retrieving the listing of a known-item book from the 3.6 million entry onine catalog at the library of the University of Michigan using various combinations of author's name plus first and last title words. The principal finding was that 98.9% of the time a 1 to 20 line miniature catalog (minicat) was displayed that contained either the entry sought or a not-in-database (NID) reply when the search comprised all three words.

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Abstract

In this study, Texas A&M University faculty and graduate students from 16 departments completed a survey about their methods of finding videocassettes in the library, how they searched the online catalog LibCat for videocassettes, and their perceptions of catalog record elements. Results demonstrated that the majority of respondents used LibCat the most often for finding videocassettes. They searched by title and were satisfied with known item searching. Finally, respondents considered authors of original works, actors, and directors as useful to both search and view in LibCat, while few perceived editor, consultant, and camera person as useful.

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Abstract

Reports on a study of children's intentions, purposes, search terms, strategies, successes and breakdowns in accessing fiction. Data was gathered using naturalistic methods of persistent, intensive observation and questioning with children in several school library media centres in the USA, including 997 OPAC transactions. Analyzes the data and highlights aspects of the broader context of the system which may help in development of mechanisms for electronic access

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine if the searching behaviour of remote users of LIAS, Penn State's online catalogue differed from those using the OPAC within the library. More than 1.000 searches done by remote users (those accessing the system via either dial-access or the university's computer network) were compared to more than 1.000 searches done by in-house users. Each search was duplicated step by step and analysed according to a pre-determined set of criteria. Although few dramatic differences were found between the 2 groups, there were enough subtle differences to generate interest. In general, remote users are the more sophisticated searchers, bearing out the assumption that remote users seem to have a better conceptual knowledge of how an information system should operate. On the other hand, they struggle more with the procedural details of how to use the OPAC. Dial-access users seem to constitute a unique group of users: their searches are often quite different than those done by either network or in-house users

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Abstract

Paper presented at the 1992 IATUL seminar in Tallinn, estonia: 'Universal Availability of Publications in Science and Technology including those on the history and philosophy of grey literature' on UAP policy and practice. Discusses surveys conducted at the Helsinki Univ. of Technology Library analysing the use of the online catalogue. Covers the Internordic Study 'Monitoring the Online Catalogues of the Nordic Technical University Libraries', whose aim was the promotion of end-user accessibility to information as part of a training program. Users' search behaviour was observed during the course on the library's TENTTU information retrieval system. Analyses the transaction log files of end users. Presents statistics on the distribution of search elements in free text and field codes and the use of Boolean operators. Comments on a software package enabling analysis of the interaction between the system and the end user. This may be useful to evaluate training programs

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Abstract

Expanded hours of access and the reduction of peak system loads are often cited as advantages of remote access to OPACs. This argument is based on the assumption that remote users search OPACs when libraries are closed or when there is low internal use. The study tested this assumption by performing a transactional log analysis of the remote and internal use of the OPAC at the Research Libraries of the New York Public Library. Analysis showed that pateerns of remote and internal use differed greatly. A large part of the remote searching occured when the Research Libraries were closed. Compared to internal searching, remote searching was distributed more evenly over the course of the day and the week. Results show that remote access expands the hours of use of the Online catalogue and has potential to reduce peak system loads at the Research Libraries

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Abstract

Identifies and characterizes the knowledge used by experienced librarians while searching for subject information in online catalogues. 10 experienced librarians performed the same set of 6 subject searches in an online catalogue. Investigates the knowledge used to solve retrieval problems. This knowledge presents expertise in the use of the catalogue. Data were collected through the use of think aloud protocols, transaction logs and structured interviews. Knowledge was defined as knowledge objects (factual knowledge), knowledge of events (experimental knowlegde), knowledge of performance (process knowledge), and metaknowledge. Metaknowledge is the sense of whole derived from the integration of factual, process, and experimental knowledge about the search and the conditions under which it is performed. Focuses on metaknowledge. For evidence of metaknowledge the data were examined for explanations that participants gave for their actions and observations, and for ways that participants evaluated their own progress during the process of searching. Reasons and explanations given by searchers were related to all phases of the library information retrieval process from the user's receipt of material to policies for collection development, and not just events directly related to the performance of a particular search task

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Abstract

Traditionally, catalogue records have contained a complete description of the item to ensure retrieval by a wide variety of approaches. An alternative approach, user centered design, requires a study of user behaviour and cognition related to interaction with the catalogue to determine inform design decisions. To support known item searching, it is necessary to users' conceptions of the item being sought, what the users know about them, and which pieces of known information are viewed by the users as most appropriate for inclusion in a search. Reports results of a pilot study, at the Davis Library, North Caroline University at Chapel Hill, in which 103 catalogue users described 386 searches and any written information known by the searchers was photocopied. Searchers generally knew the title, publication date, and page numbers (particular for periodical articles). Results indicated that this approach to catalogue design was feasible and valid, and provided a preliminary picture of nkown item searching in 1 library's catalogue

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Abstract

Many information channels are available to students, but it is now clear how students select and use them. Reports results of a study of the information seeking behaviour of students at 2 US universities: the American University; and the District of Columbia University. The study aimed to investigate: the information channels used by students when they work on course related projects and how they select the channels; how they use ALADIN, an augmented OPAC that provides access to the holdings of the Washington Research Library Consortium and several commercial online databases; and how selected characteristics of students are related to their use of information channels. Students identified convenience and quality of data as the top 2 factors in their choice of information channel. Affirms the value of librarians and of formal information channels, suggests ways to augment the online catalogue, and reminds librarians that equal access to information technology does not necessarily lead to equal use

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Abstract

Different users of a Web-based information system will have different goals and different ways of performing their work. This article explores the possibility that we can automatically detect usage patterns without demographic information about the individuals. First, a set of 47 variables was defined that can be used to characterize a user session. The values of these variables were computed for approximately 257,000 sessions. Second, principal component analysis was employed to reduce the dimensions of the original data set. Third, a twostage, hybrid clustering method was proposed to categorize sessions into groups. Finally, an external criteriabased test of cluster validity was performed to verify the validity of the resulting usage groups (clusters). The proposed methodology was demonstrated and tested for validity using two independent samples of user sessions drawn from the transaction logs of the University of California's MELVYL® on-line library catalog system (www.melvyl.ucop.edu). The results indicate that there were six distinct categories of use in the MELVYL system: knowledgeable and sophisticated use, unsophisticated use, highly interactive use with good search performance, known-item searching, help-intensive searching, and relatively unsuccessful use. Their characteristics were interpreted and compared qualitatively. The analysis shows that each group had distinct patterns of use of the system, which justifies the methodology employed in this study

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Abstract

Purpose - This exploratory study sets out to describe the ways in which end-users exchanged information between the web and a web online catalog, how they searched one device based on what they knew about the other, and their experiences in navigating between the two devices. Design/methodology/approach - Thirty-one participants were observed searching the web or a web online catalog. After the observations, an interview guide was used to ask targeted questions. Findings - The findings suggest that people familiar with the use of traditional online catalogs were more comfortable using web tools than those who lacked online catalog experience. People who had recent web experience expected online catalog searching to be similar to web searching. However, drawing too close an association between the two systems sometimes caused difficulties when the searching protocols varied, like keyword searching versus selecting an index. Research limitations/implications - Some limitations of the study include a small sampling size, varied responses to interview questions, obtrusive procedures, and lack of generalizability to groups or settings dissimilar from the one in this study. Originality/value - This study provides a rare look into the challenges faced by a diverse group of public library users on the web. It is instructive for practicing librarians and researchers.

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Abstract

Users move from one state (or task) to another in an information system's labyrinth as they try to accomplish their work, and the amount of time they spend in each state varies. This article uses continuous-time stochastic models, mainly based on semi-Markov chains, to derive user state transition patterns (both in rates and in probabilities) in a Web-based information system. The methodology was demonstrated with 126,925 search sessions drawn from the transaction logs of the University of California's MELVYL® library catalog system (www.melvyLucop.edu). First, user sessions were categorized into six groups based on their similar use of the system. Second, by using a three-layer hierarchical taxonomy of the system Web pages, user sessions in each usage group were transformed into a sequence of states. All the usage groups but one have third-order sequential dependency in state transitions. The sole exception has fourth-order sequential dependency. The transition rates as well as transition probabilities of the semi-Markov model provide a background for interpreting user behavior probabilistically, at various levels of detail. Finally, the differences in derived usage patterns between usage groups were tested statistically. The test results showed that different groups have distinct patterns of system use. Knowledge of the extent of sequential dependency is beneficial because it allows one to predict a user's next move in a search space based on the past moves that have been made. It can also be used to help customize the design of the user interface to the system to facilitate interaction. The group CL6 labeled "knowledgeable and sophisticated usage" and the group CL7 labeled "unsophisticated usage" both had third-order sequential dependency and had the same most-frequently occurring search pattern: screen display, record display, screen display, and record display. The group CL8 called "highly interactive use with good search results" had fourth-order sequential dependency, and its most frequently occurring pattern was the same as CL6 and CL7 with one more screen display action added. The group CL13, called "known-item searching" had third-order sequential dependency, and its most frequently occurring pattern was index access, search with retrievals, screen display, and record display. Group CL14 called "help intensive searching," and CL18 called "relatively unsuccessful" both had thirdorder sequential dependency, and for both groups the most frequently occurring pattern was index access, search without retrievals, index access, and again, search without retrievals.