Search (28 results, page 1 of 2)

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Abstract

Data from Westminster Libraries on membership, borrowing frequency and stock use is compared with significant studies of public library use from the last 50 years. The article examines the extent of public library use, and the social and demographic factors influencing use. Analysis of book and audio-visual stock use indicates the concentration of demand on a few titles and subjects, and the relationship to what is in demand commercially. Aspects of public library use have remained constant over at least the last 50 years, and across geographical boundaries. Public libraries are used principally for leisure, for borrowing recent fiction, for useful non fiction related to immediate life interests, and for pop music. Quantitative data from library systems provides a different, probably more accurate, picture of the nature and extent of public library use.

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Abstract

Previous empirical studies of searcher behaviour have drawn attention to a wide variety of factors that affect performance; for instance, the display of retrieved results can alter search strategies (Allen 1991, 1994), the information need type influences search behaviour, (Elkerton et al 1984, Marchionini 1995); while the task complexity, reflected in the information need can affect user's search behaviour (Large et al 1994). Furthermore, information source selection (Bassilli 1977), and the user's model of the system and domain impact on the search process (Michel 1994); while motivation (Solomon 1993, Jacobsen et al 1992) and the importance of the information need (Wendt 1969) also influence search duration and the effort a user will employ. Rouse and Rouse (1984) in a review of empirical studies, summarise a wide variety of variables that can effect searching behaviour, including payoff, costs of searching, resource available, amount of information sought, characteristics of the data and conflicts between documents. It appears that user behaviour is inconsistent in the search strategies adopted even for the same search need and system (Davidson 1977, Iivonen 1995). Theories of searcher behaviour have been proposed that provide explanations of aspects of end-user behaviour, such as the evolution of the user's information need and the problems of articulating a query, [Bates (1979, 1989), Markey and Atherton 1978], effective search strategies in browsing and goal directed searches [Marchionini 1995, Belkin (1987, 1993)], the linguistic problem of matching search terms with indexing terms or content of target documents through an expert intermediary (Ingwersen 1982) or cognitive aspects of IR (Kulthau 1984, Ingwersen 1996).

Date

22. 3.2002 9:54:13

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Abstract

Over the last 4 years, the Information Interaction Laboratory at Rutgers' School of communication, Information and Library Studies has performed a series of investigations concerned with various aspects of people's interactions with advanced information retrieval (IR) systems. We have benn especially concerned with understanding not just what people do, and why, and with what effect, but also with what they would like to do, and how they attempt to accomplish it, and with what difficulties. These investigations have led to some quite interesting conclusions about the nature and structure of people's interactions with information, about support for cooperative human-computer interaction in query reformulation, and about the value of visualization of search results for supporting various forms of interaction with information. In this discussion, I give an overview of the research program and its projects, present representative results from the projects, and discuss some implications of these results for support of subject searching in information retrieval systems

Date

22. 9.1997 19:16:05

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Abstract

In information needs, seeking and use (INSU) research, individuals have most commonly been perceived as users (e.g., Kuhlthau, 1991; Dervin & Nilan, 1986; Dervin, 1989; Belkin, 1980). The concept user originates from the user of libraries and other information services and information systems. Over the years the scope of the concept has become wider and it is nowadays often understood in the sense of seekers of information (e.g., Wilson, 1981; Marchionini, 1995) and users of information (e.g., Streatfield, 1983). Nevertheless, the concept has remained ambiguous by being on the one hand universal and on the other hand extremely specific. The purpose of this paper is to map and evaluate views on people whose information behaviour has been in one way or another the core of our research area. The goal is to shed some light on various relationships between the different aspects of doers in INSU studies. The paper is inspired by Dervin's (1997) analysis of context where she identified among other themes the nature of subject by contrasting a `transcendental individual' with a `decentered subject', and Talja's (1997) presentation about constituting `information' and `user' from the discourse analytic viewpoint as opposed to the cognitive viewpoint. Instead of the metatheoretical approach applied by Dervin and Talja, a more concrete approach is valid in the present analysis where no direct arguments for or against the underlying metatheories are itemised. The focus is on doers in INSU studies leaving other, even closely-related concepts (i.e., information, information seeking, knowledge etc.), outside the scope of the paper.

Date

22. 3.2002 9:55:52

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Abstract

Account of a limited experimental study at the Bibliothèque Publique d'Informations (BPI), the Paris multimedia public library, to establish a methodology for investigating user interactions with new technology. A wide range of materials are available at the BPI, including CD-ROMs and the Internet. Preliminary observations indicate that users do not follow the pattern dictated by the machine, but take approaches based on their own experience and skills. Setbacks are generally interpreted as defects in the software, not personla failure to master the system. Large scale qualitative abservation, using research methods from the social sciences, would establish a knowledge base for developing user skills to exploit multimedia resources more fully

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Abstract

Examines and compares the use of the Internet among various sectors of the faculty at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, in order to verify the influence of a number of parameters on this use. Questionnaires were sent to faculty members in all departments and professional schools of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a total population of 918 for both the pilot project and the main study. Results indicated that Internet use is consistently higher among faculty members in the sciences and agriculture than among those in the humanities or social sciences. Makes suggestions for training the level of Internet use among the various disciplines of the faculty

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Abstract

Reports results of a study that examined factors influencing the adoption and use of electronic networks by science and engineering faculty in 6 small universities in the southerneaster USA. Part of the study gathered data on the purpose, type, and extent of electronic communications. Data were gathered by mail questionnaire and by follow up site visits. Reports on 5 types of network use, electronic mail, electronic discussion groups, accessing remote databases, accessing remote computer facilities, and file transfer. For each service, data are reported for frequency of use by purpose: research, teaching administration, social and current awareness. Outlines preliminary use indicators for each service in terms of heavy and moderate use

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Abstract

Analyses the technical features of the 5 main search fields of the OPAC run by Bologna University's interlibrary centre (CIB), part of the National Library Service (SBN). The CIB links about 100 academic and civil library collections on the humanities, social sciences, and science subjects. With the aid of Home Page / Helpline displays, examines how OPAC search procedures are carried out by author, title, subject, ISBN, or single library. Also explains the data filtering methods used. The CIB will soon broaden its OPAC search strategies by adopting the Florence University library OPAC research structure

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Abstract

Reports results of a survey, conducted by the State University of New York and Albany Library, to investigate the effects of gender, college status and prior Internet experience on the use of Internet resources. The subjects were 96 randomly selected users using the library's Internet terminals during the first 2 months of 1995. The majority of users were found to share the following characteristics: male undergraduates affiliated with the social sciences; and novice users who have less than 6 months experience. Respondents felt strongly that the Internet is useful, and has been an important resource for their research and assignment. Users have high expectations of searching capabilities, while they feel neutral or disappointed with browsing. Results indicate that libraries should provide access to the Internet and suggest that libraries should take the lead in developing searchable indexes and making databases better organized for the ease and effectiveness of browsing

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Abstract

Reviews work of the Getty Art History Information Program (AHIP), recently renamed the Getty Information Institute, where humanities scholars were trained in DIALOG online searching and then allowed 24 hour unlimited access to DIALOG searching and DIALOG databases and where complete transaction logs were taken to yield the data upon which the Getty Online Searching Project was based. Summarizes results of the study of this subsidized access which was reported in a series of papers by M.J. Bates, who found that searching patterns of humanities researchers differed substantially from previous studies in the sciences and social sciences disciplines. Presents a model of the relative merits and opportunities associated with the various contractual arrangements and incentive strategies employed by AHIP with vendors such as DIALOG, consortia such as the Research Libraries Group, and a CD-ROM publication programme, compared to print publications and the experimental offer of access to some of the AHIP databases over the WWW. The arguments are illustrated by means of 2 case studies, involving: changes in pricing of the Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals; and the Getty Online Searching Project

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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

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Abstract

Report of a study at the University of Montreal (Quebec) analysing research on the behaviour of children using information technology (online databases, CD-ROM, computerised catalogues). From a range of publications covering 6-12 year olds in the US, Canada, Europe and Oceania common features were identified: (1) children's cognitive development does not match the structured approach required for this type of information research, (2) the main abrriers were physical (e.g. using keyboard), intellectual (no capacity for abstract reasoning) and social (little access to computers); (3) in terms of natural skills, boys has greater abilities than girls. Results indicate the need to make technology more appropriate for children, and train libarrians to recognise the real capacities and limitations of children so they can teach them the basic skills

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Abstract

Reports results of a study which applied a typological procedure, developed by Lazairsfeld from the social sciences, to a set of qualitative data on fiction reading habits for the purpose of forming a practical typology of fiction borrowers. The data was collected from a sample of 300 readers in 2 medium sized UK public libraries over a 2 month period. The procedure, using an inductive research approach, first mapped readers along 6 dimensions of reading habits which emerged from the data frequencies of borrowing, the numbers of authors currently read, the literary/recreational orientation of reading, searching approaches usually applied, sureness (confidence) in book selection and then proceeded to reduce the number of combinations formed by these dimensions, based on their relationships. A typology of 7 types of fiction borrowers was devised: readers of particularism; readers of frequent literary pluralism; readers of infrequent literary pluralism; readers of frequent recreational pluralism; readers of infrequent recreational pluralism; readers of frequent universalism; and readers of infrequent universalism

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Abstract

This study investigates the effects of end-user search experience on searching behavior in the use of an online information retrieval system by monitoring the QUICKLAW searches of a group of law students over a 1-year period. Searching behavior was examined in these aspects: Searcher command and feature repertoires (i.e., the set of commands and the set of features such as Boolean operators and truncation used), language usage patterns (command and feature use frequencies, state chains of first to third orders, and search effort measures), error patterns, search speed, learning approaches, and attitudes towards the search system. Results showed that search experience affected several aspects of end-user behavior, including the increase of participants' command and feature repertoires, some change of overall language usage patterns as reflected in the significant differences in the frequency distributions of commands and features used, increase of search speeds, and change of learning approaches. However, experience did not results in searchers making fewer errors or being helped to recover from errors

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Abstract

Recently, the importance of application of multiple, qualitative methods has been emphasised in the field of information seeking and retrieval research. (See Fidel 1993; Vakkari 1997). One of the earliest and most ambitious attempts to apply multiple methods was the research project on information needs and information services in local authority social services departments. (Wilson & Streatfield 1977; Wilson, et al., 1979; Wilson 1981). In studies on information needs and seeking qualitative methods have gained a leading position in the 1990's (Vakkari 1997: 451). Indisputably, this is the case when looking at recent information needs, seeking and use research carried out by Algon (1997), Ellen (1998), Barry (1995), Byström (1997), Iivonen (1996), Kirk (1997), Kuhlthau (1993), Solomon (1997) and Sonnenwald and Lievrouw (1996). Furthermore, though the approach of the study is qualitative the application of quantitative techniques is not necessarily excluded. In methodological literature attention is paid to integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques. These methods are not opposite but they complement to each other. In a qualitative study various methods can be combined. Triangulation can be seen in two ways: firstly, to ascertain the validity of research; secondly, to employ the methods that are appropriate to the subject investigated. Application of triangulation in the former way aims at the full, 'objective' picture of the subject studied, while the picture obtained in the latter way is like a kaleidoscope. Thus the ultimate reason for triangulating is to gain deeper understanding of the phenomenon studied.

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Abstract

Reviews a series of studies conducted by C.C, Kuhlthau who investigated users' information seeking behaviour in libraries over a 10 year period. In her study she constructed and Information Search Process (ISP) Model which represents aspects of user activities as a whole including feelings, thoughts and actions or behaviour. Argues that, while the ISP model sheds new light on user studies, it has problems in the following areas: problem solving processes; the understanding of 'feelings'; and the method of investigating users' information seeking behaviour. Recommends that the ISP model be reconstructed from different perspectives and verified in areas other than libraries. This may lead to the development of a new model of information seeking

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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

The study set out to determine: (1) what were the searching characteristics of end-users in a non-academic environment and explain this in the light of their information needs; (2) whether these characteristics were those that were ascribed to end users in the professional literature; (3) whether they differed materially from those of information professionals working in the same fields. Searching characteristics were interpreted in their widest sense to include: command utilisation/knowledge; search success a satisfaction; volume of searching; searching style / approach; duration of searches; file selection; willingness to delegate and levels of training. These issues were explored in relation to 2 practitioner groups - journalists from he Guardian newspaper, and politicians from The House of Commons. Comparative data were also sought from information professionals in these 2 organisations. A mixture of social and statistical methods was used to monitor end-user and professional searching, though transactional log analysis was strongly featured. Altogether the searching behaviour of 170 end users was evaluated in the light of the searching behaviour of 70 librarians. The principal findings were that: in some respects end users did conform to the picture that information professionals have of them: they did seartch with a limited range of commands; more of their searches produced no results, and search statements were simplly constructed. But in other respects they confounded their image - they could be very quick and economical searchers, and they did not display meters of print-out. However, there were variations between individual end users, and it was often possible to find an end-user group that matched an information professional group on one aspect of online searching or another. The online behaviour of end users was very much related to their general information seeking behaviour; and to the fact that they were not trained

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Abstract

This research continues to explore the user's evaluation of Web search engines using a methodology proposed by Su (1997) and tested in a pilot study (Su, Chen, & Dong, 1998). It seeks to generate useful insight for system design and improvement, and for engine choice. The researchers were interested in how undergraduate students used four selected engines to retrieve information for their studies or personal interests and how they evaluated the interaction and search results retrieved by the four engines. Measures used were based on five evaluation criteria: relevance, efficiency, utility, user satisfaction, and connectivity. Thirty-six undergraduate juniors and seniors were recruited from the disciplines of sciences, social sciences and humanities. Each searched his/her own topic on all four engines in an assigned order and each made relevance judgements of retrieved items in relation to his/her information need or problem. The study found some significant differences among the four engines but none dominated in every aspect of the multidimensional evaluation. Alta Vista had the highest number of relevant and partially relevant documents, the best relative recall and the highest precision ratio based on PR1, Alter Vista had significantly better scores for these three measures than for Lycos. Infoseek had the highest satisfaction rating for response time. Both Infoseek and Excite had significantly higher satisfaction ratings for response time than Lycos. Excite had the best score for output display. Excite and Alta Vista had significantly better scores for output display than Lycos. Excite had the best rating for time saving while Alta Vista achieved the best score for value of search results as a whole and for overall performance. Alta Vista and Excite had significantly better ratings for these three measures than Lycos. Lycos achieved the best relevance ranking performance. Further work will provide more complete picture for engine comparison and choice by taking into account participant characteristics and identify factors contributing to the user's satisfaction to gain better insight for system design and improvement

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Date

29. 7.1998 10:57:22