Search (54 results, page 1 of 3)

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Abstract

At the start of the academic year reference staff are hard pressed to provide sufficient assistance to first time users of CD-ROMs, who have missed bibliographic instruction classes, or who need more guidance before searching. The literature on CD-ROMs was reviewed, and a survey conducted to estimate the training needs of searchers. It was found that 100% of the inexperienced searchers required assistance while searching, and 50% of their search strategies were later rated as poor. More than half the experienced searchers also needed the librarians assistance, and 31% of this group demonstrated a poor understanding of searching techniques. The survey findings were incorporated into CDIntro, a computer assisted learning package designed by the authors

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Abstract

Given that time is money, Web searching can be a very expensive proposition. Even with the best search technology, the usefulness of search results depends on the searcher's ability to use that technology effectively. In an effort to improve this ability, our research investigates the effects of logic training, interface training, and the type of search interface on the search process. In a study with 145 participants, we found that even limited training in basic Boolean logic improved performance with a simple search interface. Surprisingly, for users of an interface that assisted them in forming syntactically correct Boolean queries, performance was negatively affected by logic training and unaffected by interface training. Use of the assisted interface itself, however, resulted in strong improvements in performance over use of the simple interface. In addition to being useful for search engine providers, these findings are important for all companies that rely heavily on search for critical aspects of their operations, in that they demonstrate simple means by which the search experience can be improved for their employees and customers.

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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

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the structure and components of queries written by experimental participants in a study that manipulated two factors found to affect end-user information retrieval performance: training in Boolean logic and the type of search interface. As reported previously, we found that both Boolean training and the use of an assisted interface improved the participants' ability to find correct responses to information requests. Here, we examine the impact of these training and interface manipulations on the Boolean operators and search terms that comprise the submitted queries. Our analysis shows that both Boolean training and the use of an assisted interface improved the participants' ability to correctly utilize various operators. An unexpected finding is that this training also had a positive impact on term selection. The terms and, to a lesser extent, the operators comprising a query were important factors affecting the participants' performance in query tasks. Our findings demonstrate that even small training interventions can improve the users' search performance and highlight the need for additional information retrieval research into how search interfaces can provide superior support to today's untrained users of the Web.

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Abstract

Presents a study questioning catalogue users at Emporia State Univ. about their experiences and their evaluation of NOTIS in order to access how patrons felt about the catalogue and how well they used it. The study focused on the instruction offered by 59 randomly selected NOTIS libraries. Responses were solicited concerning the university or college, the library, and training methods for OPAC users. With the information gained through both parts, the library instruction program and information regarding NOTIS at White Library could be evaluated and modified

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Abstract

Reports on a study at an elementary school in Washington, DC examining pupils' use of an OPAC. Presents this within the overall instructional environment of the school in order to open a window on the broader interaction of children, technology, curriculum, instruction and learning. Explains the methodology used in the study, the findings of the study, and notes a number of conclusions. Focuses in particular on the patterns of success and failure of children's use of the OPAC, their search strategies and the nature of their interaction with the OPAC

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Abstract

This longitudinal study examined the search behavior of 10 students as they completed assigned exercises for an online professional course in expert searching. The research objective was to identify, describe, and hypothesize about features of the behavior that are indicative of procedural knowledge gained during guided instruction. Log-data of search interaction were coded using a conceptual framework focused on components of search practice hypothesized to organize an expert searcher's attention during search. The coded data were analyzed using a measure of pointwise mutual information and state-transition analysis. Results of the study provide important insight for future investigation of domain-independent search expertise and for the design of systems that assist searchers in gaining expertise.

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Abstract

A survey of catalogue use in 1993 at Utrecht University in the Netherlands showed considerable dissatisfaction with the online catalogue's subject search facilities. Of those who used subject searching 64% preferred subject headings against only 2% who chose classification schedules. Library users make little use of the existing facilities for assistance and leaflets which are available in the library. It has, therefore, been decided to provide a programme of instruction in library use and to move towards a unified system of subject access to the library's catalogue

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Abstract

Observes that whether in academic, special, or public libraries or on commercial online systems, CD-ROM, the online catalogue, or the Internet, certain end user errors crop up repeatedly. Details the main errors, which include input errors, errors arising from confusion in the face of different interfaces and screen designs, Boolean logic errors, term errors, conceptual errors, and errors due to the fact that users do not read instructions. Concludes that systems must solve the trivial errors automatically, but user instruction librarians must help solve the more complex problems

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Abstract

An analysis of transaction logs from an academic library online catalog describes instances in which users have tried both controlled and uncontrolled (title keyword) vocabulary subject access during the same search session. Eight hypotheses were tested. Over 6.6% of all dial access search sessions contained both methods of subject access. Over 58% of the isolated sessions began with an uncontrolled vocabulary attempt. Over 76% contained only one vocabulary shift. On average, user persistence was greater during controlled vocabulary search logs, but search output was greater during uncontrolled vocabulary search logs. Several recommendations regarding catalog design and instruction are made.

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Abstract

I(nvestigates the constituents of a good research task, requiring students to construct meaning from a variety of resources. The study involved collaboration between a high school media specialist, 7 teachers, and a university faculty member in Michigan, USA. 6 research projects involving 387 students of all ability levels were observed to identify elements associated with meaningsful research. Data were collected from a questionnaire completed by all students and student and teacher interviews. elements found to be related to satisfaction with the research process and to satisfaction with achievement were: student choice of topic, group work, course related topics, clarity of goals and means of evaluation, and process instruction

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Abstract

Uses an information processing approach to analyse the behaviour of end users in searching online bibliographic databases, with particular emphasis on errors made. Following instruction in online searching, 41 students and 3 faculty end users conducted 79 subject searches. Analysis of search transcripts identified 119 reasons for errors. Errors occured most frequently in connection with functions, moves, and elements of 'create and develop sets' and 'display and print records'. Surprisingly, the results do not indicate that end users make errors less frequently as they gain more experience and practice, although syntax-related errors do decrease with time

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Abstract

Internet use research has focused on user surveys and novice learner studies, using survey, experimental, and ethnographic methods. They share a focus on user-based categories in the affective and cognitve domains. Information behaviour has an affective component that influences the direction of cognitive processing through hierarchically organized goals, characterized by both an individual and a cultural component. Research in human-computer interaction is evolving a user-centred methodology for system design and instruction that focuses on integrating affective and cognitive user variables to increase productivity, creativity, and human growth

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Abstract

Reports results of a study, conducted at Hawaii University, Department of Information and Computer Science, to understand the novide searchers' experience in learning to use a WWW search engine. Without prior searching instruction, undergraduate novives wrote structured self reports during their first session on a Web search engine. Users choose their own topics and followed written instructions that prompted them to describe thoughts and feelings during specified stages of the search; pre search formulation; search statement formulation; search strategy; and evaluation of the results. The sentences in the self reports were numbered and then coded according to their affective or cognitive function. The affective sentences reveal how users set goals and limit the scope of the cognitive operations. Search acts appear to be governed by an affective filter that organizes incoming information and provides criteria for ranking cognitive relevance to search goal. Content analysis identifies reasons users have for rating self confidence, stress level, satisfaction, usefulness, and success with future searches

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Abstract

Database usage data from a random sample of academic and public libraries in the U.S. and Canada reveals patterns of use in selected types of libraries. Library users in both public and academic libraries tend to use commercial online databases most frequently early in the week, mid-day, and at times that correspond to the academic calendar (November in this six-month sample.) The mean number of simultaneous users is correlated with the size of the population served and the number of workstations available, but relatively low numbers of users are simultaneously logged on to research databases at all sizes of libraries. A questionnaire sent to these same libraries identified many other factors that might influence database use, including levels of instruction, availability of remote login, placement of a database on the library's homepage, although none of these factors was found to be statistically significant

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Abstract

In order to test the impact of system and domain knowledge on search behaviour in an online catalogue, an experiment was set up in a university library where students from three specialisation areas performed a number of search tasks in the online catalogue. The subjects differed in the amount of domain and system knowledge. In two sessions the subjects performed searches inside and outside their 'own' domain. During the first session, half of the group received instruction in catalogue use and the other half did not. To observe whether the induced differences in system knowledge had effects on the search performance, a second session was carried out. Subjects' search behaviour was videotaped and their comments recorded (They were encouraged to think aloud). Results show that the amount of system knowledge had a significant effect on search time as well as on the number of search patterns observed. regarding domain knowledge, only one out of the six analyses concerning search time or the amount of patterns yielded a significant effect. A possible explanation for this result could be the questionable validity of the criteria used to distinguish between known and unknown domains. The difference in knowledge regarding familiar and unfamiliar domains is not as large as had been expected. The notion of end-users displaying habitual modes of behaviour is given considerable support by the data. This is reflected by the limited number of patterns observed

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Abstract

Reports results of a questionnaire survey, conducted with vetrinary medical students at Iowa State University in 1997, to determine their general use of the Veterinary Medical Library and how they sought information in an electronic environment. Comparisons were made between this study and an ealier study (Bull. MLA 76(1988) no.4, S.328-333). Basic patterns of student activities in the library were found to be unchanged. The 1997 students used the library most frequently for photocopying, office supplies, and studying coursework; and they preferred textbooks and handouts for current information. However, a major shift was seen from the use of print indexes and abstracts in 1987 towards the use of computerized indexes and other electronic resources in 1997. 60% of the students reported using the Internet for current information. Overall use of electronic materials was highest among students receiving the problem based learning method of instruction. Most of the 1997 students indicated that electronic resources would be important for future education needs, particularly the wealth of information and services available on the Internet and WWW