Search (27 results, page 1 of 2)

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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

Date

29. 7.1998 10:54:49

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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

Reports results of a study, conducted at the Ralph Brown Draughton Library, Auburn University, Alabama, to determine whether users employ the cross references provided by the series title authority file in their searches of the library's OPAC. Presents and discusses the results of a transaction log analysis focusing attention on the usefulness of cross references from series title authority records, since only searches that required such cross reference appeared in the transaction log report. Results indicate that users do use the cross references gathered by series title authority records

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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

Reports results of a study to investigate judgements made by searchers of online catalogues by using transaction log analysis to associate online catalogue searchmethods with decisions so as to retrieve location information. The study used the Mainframe Interface to Libraries Online (MILO), an interface to the Illinois Library Computer Systems Office (ILCSO) online union catalogue for the 45 academic libraries belonging to ILCSO. MILO provides access to a bibliographic database and directly links to another database with circulation and location records. As the latter database only provides location and circulation status, searchers' decisions to make links to such data are seen as an indication that the records being linked represent potentially useful material. Via a transaction log analysis, the linked location records were associated wiht the access points used to retrieve them in order to analyze the value and problems of searchers' uses of specific access points. Transaction logs were analyzed for a 38-day sample of the 1994 logs. Counting of records retrieved through the use of multiple access points (making the total greater than 100%), subject fields were used to access over 30%, author fields to access over 19%, and title fields to access over 51% of all records linked to location information. Other fields were used to retrieve very small percentages of linked records

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Abstract

Describes an attempt, by Illinois University at Chicago (IUC) Library to respond to user needs as they are revealed in transaction logs of OPAC use. Illustrates success in improving access to catalogue records through a reengineering process. Outlines the IUC Library Reengineering Project, the administrative structure to study transaction logs, and the resultant managerial decisions. Notes the changes made to sreen display and to the OPAC. Focusing on customer satisfaction, IUC catalogue librarians joined forces with colleagues to identify Usrs' unmet needs and preferences through transaction log analysis. In order to minimize mismatches between users' expectations and services actually provided, IUC catalogue librarians studied logs and adjusted the OPAC. Descrinbes the specific efforts to increase access to the library's collections and the steps taken to enhance and customize bibliographic and authority records. Concludes that transition log analysis has enabled IUC to alter the form and content of its OPAC to fit the changing needs of diverse and widely disoersed users

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Abstract

Reviews studies of users of OPACs focusing on the research methodology of librarians. Surveys and questionnaires, interviews, observation, controlled experiment and transaction log analysis were used with varying degrees of expertise and success in academic public libraries with a variety of user populations. Poor methodology due to lack of training and funding sharply limit their usefulness in most cases

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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

NORDINFO financed project to evaluate OPACs from the end user's viewpoint began in Aug 91 and was aimed at discovering how different types of users carry out searches; how the different methods of describing a publication's contact are used; and evaluating how title, thesauri words and free text are combined in searching using the transaction log analysis method over a 6 week period. The results show that not even menus give enough guidance to an occasional user; free text searching was the most popular method; scan commands proved not popular. The number of searches retrieving no-references was similar in all libraries, while libraries differed in the truncated search terms. Multilingualism was a serious problem in all the online catalogues. Lists recommended improvements

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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

Presents a pilot study for an Internordic project to monitor the use of online catalogues in the Nordic technological university libraries. Focuses on the use of classification in subject searching, how the UDC is used and the extent of its use. Studies user interaction with the OPACs and improvements to information retrieval in the catalogues using the transaction log method to gather data. The pilot study examnines the TENTTU Books database which is the online union catalogue of the Helsinki Univ. of Technology Library, a multilingual database with true information retrieval. The Internordic study itself will make comparisons between the TENTTU system and the new Virginia Tech Library System. Discusses the users monitored, method of analysis, subject searching in the database, results and how the UDC codes were used. Compares this to other studies conducted in Finland and evaluates the project

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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

Searching information retrieval systems is a highly interactive, iterative process that cannot be understood simply by comparing the output of a search session (the 'search product') to a query stated in advance. In this article, we examine evaluation goals and methods for studying information retrieval behavior, drawing examples from our own research and that of others. We limit our review to research that employs online monitoring, also known as transaction log analysis. Online monitoring is one of few methods that can capture detailed data on the search process at a reasonable cost; these data can be used to build quantitative models or to support qualitative interpretations of quatitative results. Monitoring is a data collection technique rather than a research design, and can be employed in experimental of field studies, whether alone or combined with other data collection methods. Based on the the research questions of interest, the researcher must determine what variables to collect from each data source, which to treat as independent varaibles to manipulate, and which to treat as dependent variables to observe effects. Studies of searching behavior often treat search task and searcher characteristics as independent variables and may manipulate other independent variables specific to the research questions addressed. Search outcomes, time, and search paths frequently are treated as dependent variables. We discuss each of these sets of variables, illustrating them with sample results from the literature and from our own research. Our examples are drawn from the Science Library Catalog project, a 7-year study of children's searching behavior on an experimental retrieval system. We close with a brief discussion of the implications of these results for the design of information retrieval systems