Search (182 results, page 1 of 10)

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Date

20. 4.2002 17:30:22

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Abstract

The proliferation of digital information resources and electronic databases challenges libraries and demands that libraries develop new mechanisms to facilitate and better inform user selection of electronic databases and search tools. We developed a prototype, Web-based database selection expert system based on reference librarian's database selection strategy. This system allows users to simultaneously search all databases available to identify databases most relevant to their quests using free-text keywords or phrases taken directly from their research topics. This article reports on (1) the initial usability test and evaluation of the Selector-the test design, methodology used, performance results; (2) summary of search query analyses; (3) user satisfaction measures; (4) the use of the findings for further modification of the Selector; and (5) the findings of using randomly selected subjects to perform a usability test with predefined searching scenarios. Future prospects of this research have also been discussed in the article.

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Abstract

DOI-X is a prototype metadata database designed to support DOI lookups. The prototype is intended to address the integration of metadata registration and maintenance with basic DOI registration and maintenance, enabling publishers to use a single mechanism and a single quality-assurance process to register both DOIs and their associated metadata. It also contains the lookup mechanisms necessary to access the journal article metadata, both on a single-item lookup basis and on a batch basis, such as would facilitate reference linking. The prototype database was introduced and demonstrated to attendees at the STM International Meeting and the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 1999. This paper discusses the background for the creation of DOI-X and its salient features.

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Abstract

Libraries have been integrating active server pages (ASP) with Web-based databases for searching and retrieving electronic information for the past five years; however, a literature review reveals that a more complete description of modifying data through the Web interface is needed. At the Texas A&M University Libraries, a Web database of Internet links was developed using ASP, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) to facilitate use of online resources. The implementation of the Internet Links database is described with focus on its data management functions. Also described are other library applications of ASP technology. The project explores a more complete approach to library Web database applications than was found in the current literature and should serve to facilitate reference service.

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Abstract

Via the Internet, information scientists can obtain costfree access to large databases in the "hidden" or "deep Web." These databases are often structured far more than the Internet domains themselves. The patent database of the U.S. Patent and Trade Office is used in this study to examine the science base of patents in terms of the literature references in these patents. Universitybased patents at the global level are compared with results when using the national economy of the Netherlands as a system of reference. Methods for accessing the online databases and for the visualization of the results are specified. The conclusion is that "biotechnology" has historically generated a model for theorizing about university-industry relations that cannot easily be generalized to other sectors and disciplines.

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Abstract

This paper describes a study conducted to determine the paths digital reference services take through a general process model of asynchronous digital reference. A survey based on the general process model was conducted; each decision point in this model provided the basis for at least one question. Common, uncommon, and wished-for practices are identified, as well as correlations between characteristics of services and the practices employed by those services. Identification of such trends has implications for the development of software tools for digital reference. This study presents a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in digital reference as of late 2001- early 2002, and validates the general process model of asynchronous digital reference.

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Abstract

This article seeks to shift the literature an chat-based reference services beyond the current spate of case studies and discussions of emerging standards and best practices in providing chat-based reference, to a higher level of discussion an the creation and discussion of theoretical frameworks to unite these standards and practices. The article explores the varlous steps in the process of providing synchronous, chat-based reference, as well as issues involved in providing such service at each step. The purpose of this exploration is twofold: First, this article presents some open research questions at each step in the process of providing chatbased reference service. Second, the entire process of providing chat-based reference is viewed as a whole, and a model of the provision of chat-based reference service is developed at a high level of abstraction. lt is hoped that this model may serve as a conceptual framework for future discussions of and development of applications for chat-based reference.

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Abstract

This article reports the results of a survey of reference librarians in public and academic libraries of various sizes in the United States, asking them about their experiences with and attitudes towards the use of digital and networked technologies and resources in reference work. A total of 648 responded. In general, respondents were positive and optimistic in their outlook, but not unreservedly so. Among the strongest findings was a correlation between recent experience at doing digital reference and positive attitudes towards it, a clear set of opinions about what such services would be best and worst at, and differing perspectives and patterns of responses between academic and public librarians. In addition, questions asking about characteristics of librarians, their current and planned reference services, and some of their professional choices in doing reference work are reported.

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Abstract

A research agenda for the study of digital reference is presented. The agenda stems from a research symposium held at Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts in August 2002. The agenda defines digital reference as "the use of human intermediation to answer questions in a digital environment." The agenda also proposes the central research question in digital reference: "How can human expertise be effectively and efficiently incorporated into information systems to answer user questions?" The definition and question are used to outline a research agenda centered an how the exploration of digital reference relates to other fields of inquiry.

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Abstract

This study aimed to develop a model for predicting the impact of information access using Web searches, on human decision making. Models were constructed using a database of search behaviors and decisions of 75 clinicians, who answered questions about eight scenarios within 80 minutes in a controlled setting at a university computer laboratory. Bayesian models were developed with and without bias factors to account for anchoring, primacy, recency, exposure, and reinforcement decision biases. Prior probabilities were estimated from the population prior, from a personal prior calculated from presearch answers and confidence ratings provided by the participants, from an overall measure of willingness to switch belief before and after searching, and from a willingness to switch belief calculated in each individual scenario. The optimal Bayes model predicted user answers in 73.3% (95% Cl: 68.71 to 77.35%) of cases, and incorporated participants' willingness to switch belief before and after searching for each scenario, as well as the decision biases they encounter during the search journey. In most cases, it is possible to predict the impact of a sequence of documents retrieved by a Web search engine on a decision task without reference to the content or structure of the documents, but relying solely on a simple Bayesian model of belief revision.

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Abstract

It has become increasingly common for libraries to provide a reference service which operates via e-mail or through online forms. This paper compares the performance of three digital reference services available on the World Wide Web, namely, AllExperts, Ask a Librarian, and Internet Public Library (a fourth service, Ask Bob, was included initially but eventually excluded). The online digital reference/"expert" services are generally very effective; most provide an answer within three days, and include suggestions for sources of further information. Although the general response rate from all the services was good, library-based services were found to be more trustworthy since they provided the answers together with the sources.

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Abstract

Die Weiten des Internet tendieren ins Unendliche - kaum etwas, was dort nicht vorhanden zu sein scheint. Google rühmt sich, dass jetzt die Suche auf über acht Milliarden Websites möglich ist und hat mit dem Einscannen der Bestände von US-amerikanischen und englischen Bibliotheken schon das nächste größere Projekt in Angriff genommen. Auch Microsoft schickt sich an, eine ernstzunehmende Konkurrenz in Sachen Internetrecherche zu werden. Hinzu kommt, dass das Internet eine immer größere Nutzung erfährt, 2004 lag diese bei 55,3 Prozent der Bevölkerung ab 14 Jahren - doch das alles heißt nicht, dass die Nutzer 3 im Gegenzug auch immer bessere Recherchefähigkeiten aufweisen. Es vergeht kein Tag, an dem im Informationsdienst von Bibliotheken nicht der Satz »Im Internet habe ich schon geguckt, dafind ich nix!« fällt. 100.000 Treffer zu einer Suchanfrage zu erhalten ist nicht die Kunst, aber fünf relevante Treffer zu erhalten, die noch dazu einer kritischen Bewertung standhalten (Stichwort »Information Literacy«), das bedarf eines professionellen Informationsvermittlers - eines Bibliothekars! Noch nie waren so viele Nutzer im Netz und zugleich so viele so unzufrieden. Wäre es nicht Aufgabe der Bibliotheken diese (potenziellen) Kunden aufzufangen, bevor sie in den Weiten des Internet verloren gehen? Dieses Auffangnetz existiert bereits - bekannt als Digital Reference Service, gebündelt durch die Funktionen, die das Web Contact Center bereit hält.

Date

22. 9.2005 20:50:31

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Abstract

Reports on a small-scale experiment designed to assess the performance of the freely available digital reference services. Ten questions - five purely fact-finding, and five on the subject of political affairs - were submitted to three digital reference services (DRS), namely, AllExperts, Ask a Librarian, and UCLA E-Mail Reference Service. The findings show that DRS deliver generally accurate information although the time taken to do so varies both between services and within a particular service. The collaborative nature of such endeavours is also likely to continue as individual institutions seek to limit the expense they incur. Instructing users on how to find information independently has always been one of the hallmarks of academic reference services, and this has to be given priority in a digital environment.

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Abstract

This study analyzes to which degree the question types addressed to a digital reference service run by a consortium of public libraries have changed between the Years 1999 and 2006. The data consist of representative samples of reference questions to a Finnish Ask a Librarian digital reference service in the years studied. Questions were classified based on a taxonomy refining earlier major taxonomies. The proportion of ready reference questions had increased from 33 to 45% whereas the proportion of subject-based research questions had decreased from 57 to 47%. Among the former, fact-finding questions had especially increased, and among the latter, topical search questions had decreased. These changes in the popularity of question types are likely related to the way people are searching on the Internet. It is concluded that the Internet has somewhat reduced the traditional role of public libraries in mediated topical searching.

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Abstract

Purpose - To provide a historical look at the development of web versions of reference materials and discuss what makes an easy-to-use and useful electronic handbook. Design/methodology/approach - Electronic reference materials were limited to handbooks available on the web. Observations and assumptions about usability are tested with an information retrieval test for specific tasks in print and online editions of the same texts. Findings - Recommended adoption of those elements which create a well-designed book in combination with robust search capabilities and online presentation result in an easy-to-use and useful electronic reference source. Research limitations/implications - The small sample size that was used for testing limits the ability to draw conclusions, and is used only as an indication of the differences between models. A more thorough look at difference between electronic book aggregates, such as ENGnetBASE, Knovel® and Referex would highlight the best features for electronic reference materials. Practical implications - Advantages to particular models for electronic reference publishing are discussed, raising awareness for product evaluation. Areas of development for electronic reference book publishers or providers are identified. Work in these areas would help ensure maximum efficiency through cross title searching via meta-searching and data manipulation. Originality/value - The paper presents results from some human computer interaction studies about electronic books which have been implemented in a web interface, and the positive effects achieved.

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Abstract

Purpose - In a 31-month period, 1,184 questions addressed to the Internet Public Library's (IPL) reference service remained unanswered on the grounds that they were "out of scope". This paper aims to analyze the questions as artifacts of users' expectations to better chart the distinction between user and librarian views of reference service. Design/methodology/approach - Each question is examined to identify two user expectations, i.e. what kinds of information librarians could provide and what kinds of needs librarians could help meet. Emergent coding with a code-recode rate of 97 per cent identifies 23 types of expected librarian assistance and 28 characteristics of expected applications of that assistance. Findings - Users expect IPL librarians to provide personal advice, analysis, facts, procedures, instruction, technology guidance and evaluation. IPL librarians are expected to help users in making decisions, solving problems, completing processes and developing understanding. Research limitations/implications - Limitations include the use of a single coder and the use of single institution's data set. Mapping these user expectations suggests a need for librarians to consider further development of reference service in terms of its judgment, form, and involvement parameters. Practical implications - Reference service policies and training should be examined to enhance librarians' abilities to consider judgment, form, and involvement parameters primarily from the user's perspective. Originality/value - This paper analyzes that which is rarely seen, i.e. e-mail reference questions which are considered beyond the scope of service. Additionally, the IPL question pool provides a broader range of user mental models than would be found in any geographically bound institution.

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Abstract

The Internet is increasingly being used as a source of reference information. Internet users need to be able to distinguish accurate information from inaccurate information. Toward this end, information professionals have published checklists for evaluating information. However, such checklists can be effective only if the proposed indicators of accuracy really do indicate accuracy. This study implements a technique for testing such indicators of accuracy and uses it to test indicators of accuracy for answers to ready reference questions. Many of the commonly proposed indicators of accuracy (e.g., that the Web site does not contain advertising) were not found to be correlated with accuracy. However, the link structure of the Internet can be used to identify Web sites that are more likely to contain accurate reference information.

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Abstract

Amerikanische Bibliotheken sind im Internet nicht nur durch ihre Kataloge präsent, sondern bieten mit Digital Reference weitere Informationsdienstleistungen in diesem Medium an. Auskunft per E-Mail, Web-Formular und Chat sowie schließlich via Web Contact Center markieren die bisherigen Entwicklungsstufen. Web Contact Center wurden ursprünglich im Kontext von E-Commerce entwickelt. Sie umfassen eine Vielzahl von kommunikativen und kollaborativen Tools. Bibliotheken tragen damit der veränderten Medienkultur Rechnung und können den Herausforderungen der Informationsgesellschaft gerecht werden.

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Abstract

This article discusses the history and emergence of non-library commercial and noncommercial information services on the World Wide Web. These services are referred to as "expert services," while the term "digital reference" is reserved for library-related on-line information services. Following suggestions in library and information literature regarding quality standards for digital reference, researchers make clear the importance of developing a practicable methodology for critical examination of expert services, and consideration of their relevance to library and other professional information services. A methodology for research in this area and initial data are described. Two hundred forty questions were asked of 20 expert service sites. Findings include performance measures such as response rate, response time, and verifiable answers. Sites responded to 70% of all questions, and gave verifiable answers to 69% of factual questions. Performance was generally highest for factual type questions. Because expert services are likely to continue to fill a niche for factual questions in the digital reference environment, implications for further research and the development of digital reference services may be appropriately turned to source questions. This is contrary to current practice and the emergence of digital reference services reported in related literature thus far.

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Abstract

Reports on the performance of five free digital reference services (DRS) in answering ten reference questions. The first five questions were of a simple, factual, nature which should have ready answers. The second set of five were based on the subject of film studies. The answers to these questions varied from a simple one- or two-word response, to more extensive information, such as question 10. This study notes the use of various delivery methods for DRS: chat, Web forms, e-mail. It outlines the individual and co-operative approaches; and the challenges posed to the academic libraries by the so-called expert services. This study also intends to check if the services would ask for further information to ensure accuracy or simply provide the best answer based on the first query. It finds that there is often a trade-off between speed of response and quality or accuracy of response.