Search (25 results, page 1 of 2)

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Abstract

Three different interfaces for online public access catalogues were evaluated using transaction logging as a methodology. In two cases exercises were set and run against each interface so that results could be critically evaluated to indicate areas of weakness. In all cases a random transaction log was derived and this was used to diagnose system problems and identify patterns of behaviour. Results showed that searches were often difficult to categorise, users employing different approaches to the same end. Users also were prepared to undertake sustained searching until something was retrieved; however they then frequently stopped. Search input problems are also identified and possible areas for further research suggested

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Abstract

Reports on a dramatic shift from subject to periodical title searching at Colorado University Libraries. States possible reasons for the change, examines problems encountered by users with searching the periodical title index and suggests how this change in online catalogue searching may affect future catalogue design and bibliographic instruction

Date

29. 7.1998 10:57:22

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Abstract

The library of the Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie attracts 4.000 visitors daily of whom 25% consult the GEAC system OPAC. Describes a 1992 survey consisting of online questions followed by an interview. The questionnaires were adapted from ones used in the UK and utilised OLIVE (Online Interactive Validation and Evaluation). While difficulties arose from users' inconsistency in their replies and failures to answer questions, it has become clear that subject access is unsatisfactory, sometimes because of mistyping by the searcher but also because of the vocabulary problems and lack of guidance in search strategies

Source

International cataloguing and bibliographic control. 22(1993) no.4, S.68-71

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Abstract

Desicusses the user training programme of the Helsinki University of Technology Library in the light of an internordic monitoring project. In the project, the use of OPACs was evaluated by analyzing the transaction logs and it was concluded that end users do not exploit the various possibilities of OPACs. A large part of the material found in the collections in the library is not retrieved: misspellings, lack of truncation, inequate use of Boolean operators and wrong database choices lead to ineffective retrieval. Emphasis in the online catalogue training has been on the 'hands on' exercises and it appears that the training programme is not very effective in the area of subject searching. Presents reasons for this and discusses plans for the future development of the library user training programme

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Abstract

Research in user behavior on online catalogs is in its early stages, but preliminary findings suggest that users encounter many of the same problems identified in behavioral studies of other types of bibliographic retrieval systems. Much can be learned from comparing the results of user behavior studies on these two types of systems. Research on user problems with both the mechanical aspects and the conceptual aspects of system use is reviewed, with the conclusion that more similiratiy exists across types of systems in conceptual than in mechanical problems. Also discussed are potential sources of the problems, due either to individual characteristics or to system variables. A series of research questions is proposed and a number of potential interim solutions ae suggested for alleviating some of the problems encountered by users of information systems

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Abstract

A transaction log analysis of searches for serials looks at how users go about their searching (by title, subject, or keyword) and what problems they encounter, and then examines the results of those searches. Explores ways in which serials records could be improved to enhance retrieval

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Abstract

This article reports on a transaction log study of the BIS online catalog at North Caroline State University. Transaction logs were used to gather data on failure rates, usage patterns, and causes of problems. The result show that 54 percent of the searches analyzed failed. Subject searching was the most often used but least successful search. Problems experienced by patrons searching BIS were often due to a misunderstanding of how to operate the system, typographical errors, and the use of uncontrolled vocabulary. As in earlier studies, transaction logs analysis proved to be a fruitful and practical methodology for studying users' searching behaviour in an online catalog.

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Abstract

This article reports on a low-cost study of the transaction log of an online public access catalog at an academic library. The three goals of the study were to determine failure rates, to study usage patterns, and to investigate problable causes of patron problems when using the OPAC. The study found that failure rates (defined as those searches that produced zero hits) of approximately 40% are common, and that usage patterns and failure rates do not vary greatly over time or from terminal to terminal, but that the distribution of probable causes of user problems varies significantly from terminal to terminal

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Abstract

A research project at Middlesex Polytechnic is examning the problems of subject access in an OPAC. A series of user studies have been carried out which examined students' use of existing catalogue facilities, which in turn led to the experimental evaluation of various interface designs for an online catalogue. The experiments were primarily concerned with the effect of the following variables on the speed and accuracy of retrieval of specific items, the use of colour, the speed of presentation of information, the amount of information on a screen, the paging and scrolling of information, the position of a sought item within a list

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Abstract

Reports on the factor analysis of affective data gathered from a study of searching behaviour in 2 library catalogues. 20 subjects were assigned information problems to solve through searching a university card catalogue and 20 were assigned the same problems to solve in a comparable online catalogue. After searches were completed, subjects were asked to evaluate their search results and to respond to attitude measures about the search experience. The 11 attitude itmes were constructed to tap a variety of affective responses to the attitude measures. Factor patterns in the data can serve to identify the dimensions on which search experiences are evaluated by users, to direct further investigation into user evaluations, and to suggest features for inclusion in information retrieval systems accessed directly by users

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Abstract

Current online catalogs have problems providing reasonable subject access, often resulting in searches with too few or too many hits. These problems can be improved by enhancing MARC records, building semantic networks through cross-references, and linking subject headings to classification numbers. This paper describes a pilot project to design a hypertext search engine using these principles

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Abstract

Search index usage in a large university online catalog system over a six-year period (representing about 15,3 million searches) was investigated using transaction monitor data. Mathematical models of trends and patterns in the data were developed and tested using regression techniques. The results of the analyses show a consistent decline in the frequency of subject index use by online catalog users, with a corresponding increase in the frequency of title keyword searching. Significant annual patterns in index usage were also identified. Analysis of the transaction data, and related previous studies of online catalog users, suggest a number of factors contributing to the decline in subject search frequency. Chief among these factors are user difficulties in formulating subject queries with LCSH, leading to search failure, and the problem of "information overload" as database size increases. This article presents the models and results of the transaction log analysis, discusses the underlying problems with subject searching contributing to the observed decline, and reviews some proposed improvements to online catalog systems to aid in overcoming these problems

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Abstract

Trotz Opac-Einführungen durch das Bibliothekspersonal treten beim Benutzer häufig Rechercheprobleme auf. Oftmals werden die Möglichkeiten, die der Opac bietet, von Benutzern nicht richtig erkannt. An der Universitätsbibliothek Tübingen gingen im Rahmen des sechsmonatigen Praxissemesters Studentinnen der Fachhochschule Stuttgart - Hochschule der Medien den Ursachen dieses Problems nach.

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Abstract

As part of a recent research project a large set of catalogue users' subject queries was collected by interview. The libraries and the data collection procedures are briefly described. The query set obtained has been divided into several general categories which illustrate the range of of types of subject search being performed. Each category of query is discussed, with a consideration of the problem which face the user in carrying out each type of search. Possible solutions to some of these problems are considered. The most important issue is the variation in specifity of the queries, whilst other issues relate to the users' expression of need, access to specific types of materials, interdisciplinary subjects, and inappropriate queries. These issues are summarised and the implications for OPAC design are discussed

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Abstract

Reports results of the work of the Transaction Logs Task Force, composed of public and technical services librarians charged with reviewing OPAC to identify library wide problems and issues. This OPAC transaction log analysis study compared data derived from 2 sets of logs within a 6 month period. Analysis of the first set of data revealed that users experienced difficulty with basic searching techniques. The OPAC introductory screens were simplified and clarified to help users improve search success rates. The second set of data, analyzed after screen changes had been made, showed statistically significant differences in search results. Concludes that regular monitoring of OPACs through transaction log analysis can lead to improved retrieval when changes are made in response to an analysis of user search patterns

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Abstract

Research on the use and users of online catalogs conducted in the early 1980s found that subject searches were the most common form of online catalog search. At the same time, many of the problems experienced by online catalog users have been traced to difficulties with the subject access mechanisms of the online catalog. Numerous proposals have been made for methods intended to improve subject access to online catalog records. These commonly involve enhancing the catalog's bibliographic records with additional terms, or incorporating subject authority files or additional thesauri in the database. Another stream of research has concentrated on applying retrieval techniques derived from information retrieval (IR) research to replace the Boolean search methods of conventional online catalog systems. This study describes the results of retrieval tests using a variety of these search methods in the CHESHIRE experimental online catalog system.

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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

An ongoing thread in information retrieval research has been the exploration of user goals (or information needs, or problems) on information retrieval systems. It has been suggested that an understanding of goals and their role in the information retrieval interaction can provide insight into appropriate retrieval strategies, relevant documents, and general system design. This article reports on empirical findings concerning goals of users searching an OPAC at a northeastern United States university. These findings were generated during a large inductive and qualitative study of users' interactions with the OPAC. It was found that respondents came to the OPAC to search for a variety of course- or degree-related projects in which they were engaged. Respondent goals were not greatly modified during the course of these interactions. A set of situational elements associated with the respondent's goal was also identified. The implications of these findings for OPAC design and the training of informational professionals are discussed

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Abstract

Presents some results from research into the uses and usefulness of electronic bibliographic databases in academic contexts, carried out as part of a British Library funded research project. Ethnographic and focus group data was gathered initially in 3 departments (natural science, social science and humanities) at the University of Kent at Canterbury covering all academic staff, researchers and postgraduates. This was then expanded to postgraduates and staff in the same 3 disciplines at other universities. 5 themes from this research are outlined: who uses the system, who does not, and where are these activities and inactivities happening; where does formal training occur; and where does learning occur. The problems of interface between computer systems and users often mirrored that between library enquiry staff and users where users did not know to frame questions and the advice given was not in a form understood by the users