Search (71 results, page 1 of 4)

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Abstract

Thirty-one patrons, who were selected by Slone to provide a range of age and experience, agreed when approached while using the catalog of the Wake County library system to try searching via the Internet. Fifteen searched the Wake County online catalog in this manner and 16 searched the World Wide Web, including that catalog. They were subjected to brief pre-structured taped interviews before and after their searches and observed during the searching process resulting in a log of behaviors, comments, pages accessed, and time spent. Data were analyzed across participants and categories. Web searches were characterized as linking, URL, search engine, within a site domain, and searching a web catalog; and participants by the number of these techniques used. Four used only one, 13 used two, 11 used three, two used four, and one all five. Participant experience was characterized as never used, used search engines, browsing experience, email experience, URL experience, catalog experience, and finally chat room/newsgroup experience. Sixteen percent of the participants had never used the Internet, 71% had used search engines, 65% had browsed, 58% had used email, 39% had used URLs, 39% had used online catalogs, and 32% had used chat rooms. The catalog was normally consulted before the web, where both were used, and experience with an online catalog assists in web use. Scrolling was found to be unpopular and practiced halfheartedly.

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Abstract

Patron queries at a four-year comprehensive college's online public access catalog were examined via transaction logs from March 2007. Three representative days were isolated for a more detailed examination of search characteristics. The results show that library users employed an average of one to three terms in a search, did not use Boolean operators, and made use of limits one-tenth of the time. Failed queries remained problematic, as a full one-third of searches resulted in zero hits. Implications and recommendations for improvements in the online public access catalog are discussed.

Date

10. 9.2000 17:38:22

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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

Jansen and Pooch review three major search engine studies and compare them to three traditional search system studies and three OPAC search studies, to determine if user search characteristics differ. The web search engine studies indicate that most searchers use two, two search term queries per session, no boolean operators, and look only at the top ten items returned, while reporting the location of relevant information. In traditional search systems we find seven to 16 queries of six to nine terms, while about ten documents per session were viewed. The OPAC studies indicated two to five queries per session of two or less terms, with Boolean search about 1% and less than 50 documents viewed.

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Abstract

Although technology can often correct spelling errors, the complex tasks of information searching and retrieval in an online public access catalog (OPAC) are made more difficult by these errors in users' input and bibliographic records. This study examines the search behaviors of 38 university students, divided into groups with either easy-to-spell or difficult-to-spell search terms, who were asked to find items in the OPAC with these search terms. Search behaviors and strategy use in the OPAC and on the World Wide Web (WWW) were examined. In general, students used familiar Web resources to check their spelling or discover more about the assigned topic. Students with difficult-to-spell search terms checked spelling more often, changed search strategies to look for the general topic and had fewer successful searches. Students unable to find the correct spelling of a search term were unable to complete their search. Students tended to search the OPAC as they would search a search engine, with few search terms or complex search strategies. The results of this study have implications for spell checking, user-focused OPAC design, and cataloging. Students' search behaviors are discussed by expanding Thatcher's (2006) Information-Seeking Process and Tactics for the WWW model to include OPACs.

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Abstract

Reports from a study investigating the extent to which academic end users conduct multiple search sessions, over time woth OPAC or CD-ROM databases at different stages of their information seeking related to a current research project. Interviews were conducted using a questionnaire with 200 academic end users at Rutgers University Alexander Library, NJ and University of North Texas, to investigate the occurrence of multiple search sessions. Results show that at the time of the survey interview, 57% of end users had conducted multiple search sessions during their research project and 86% of end users conducted their 1st search session at the beginning stage of their information seeking process. 49% of end users had conducted between 1 and 6 search sessions and 8% more than 6 search sessions. 70% of multiple search sessionss end users had modified their search terms since their 1st search session. Discusses the implications of the findings for end user training, information retrieval systems design and further research

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Abstract

In the summer of 2008 all University of North Carolina libraries switched from a traditional library catalog interface supporting text-based searching (TextOnly) to a text and facet-based interface (TextFacet) to improve users' search experiences. This study seeks to understand the differences between these two interfaces and how they affect the search experience of the novice user. In this study, 40 participants were asked to search for resources using both interfaces. Their search times and accuracy were measured across three types of search tasks (known, partially known, and exploratory). After completing the searches, they were asked a series of questions about their experiences. The data were analyzed in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in both search interfaces. Thirty-six out of 40 participants preferred the TextFacet interface to the TextOnly interface. Using three dependent variables-time, accuracy, and rating-the two interfaces were compared and interactions were tested with the three task types. Search times for the TextFacet were shorter and participants preferred the TextFacet search interface over the TextOnly search interface. Performances across the three task types were different in terms of search time. The partially known and exploratory task types showed similar distributions for rating and accuracy. These distributions were distinctly different from the known task type. The results of this study may assist libraries in developing improved library catalog search interfaces that utilize facets as well as text searching.

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Abstract

Identifies 6 types of searches on the basis of paudsing behaviour by using cluster analysis. The 6 types of search were highly associated with search fleuncy and the construction of a mental model. Examines learning during multiple searches on the basis of the 6 types. Finds that searchers gain more experience, increase their searching proficiency and become more fluent at searching while online. The changes of search level in multiple searches showed that most searchers moved towards greater fleuncy

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Abstract

Discusses a multiple search session model of end users' interaction with information retrieval systems based on results from an exploratory study investigating end users' search sessions over time with OPACs or CD-ROM databases at different stages of their information seeking related to a current research project. Interviews were conducted with 200 academic end users to investigate the occurrence of multiple search sessions

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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

The focus of this study is the search behavior of remote users of the University of California MELVYL Library System, an OPAC. Transaction logs from randomly selected remote user search sessions are analyzed. Descriptive data on the number and type of searches, choice of search mode and database, number of retrievals, number and type of errors, and use of system HELP facilities are presented. The search data have been cross-tabulated with demographic data on the same group of remote users, collected through an online survey conducted by the authors. Effectiveness of system usage is discussed. A case mode is made for the desirability of additional heuristics in the catalog portion of the system

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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

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

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Abstract

This research investigated the ways in which different levels of knowledge about a topic can affect searching for information on that topic in a library online catalog. It was found that people with high levels of knowledge use more search expressions, including more general and nonproductive expressions, than low-knowledge users. It was also found that high-knowledge users employed more search expressions that had not been contained in their statements of information need than low-knowledge users. These differences in vocabulary use and search expression formulation may be of interest to designers of online catalogs as they attempt to increase the responsiveness of catalog systems to the needs of individual users

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Abstract

The authors have studied the transaction counts from two and one-half years activity at the public use terminals of the Ohio State University Libraries' prototype online card catalog to determine what search options academic library patrons use the most often and whether this pattern varies from that reported in major catalog use studies. The preliminary findings indicate significant differences in search strategy that may result from a unique user group that prefers to search the online catalog, more useful searches in the online system, or special search patterns imposed by the computer hardware itself. Both the different searches used by patrons and why they choose them should be important factors in the design of future online catalogs

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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

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

Footnote

Übers. d. Titels: OPAC search paths at Bologna University's National Library Service unit

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Abstract

A transaction log analysis of the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) OPAC was conducted to identify query and search failure patterns with the goal of identifying areas of improvement for the system. One semester's worth of OPAC transaction logs were obtained and from these, 641,991 queries were extracted and used for this work. Issues investigated included query length, frequency and type of search options and Boolean operators used as well as their relationships with search failure. Among other findings, results indicate that a majority of the queries were simple, with short query lengths and a low usage of Boolean operators. Failure analysis revealed that on average, users had an almost equal chance of obtaining no records or at least one record to a submitted query. We propose enhancements and suggest future areas of work to improve the users' search experience with the NTU OPAC.

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Abstract

Describes a project which monitored electronically 11 public access terminals, at the Colorado University Librarys, to produce transaction logs that were used to gather statistics and analyze the behaviour of users when searching the library online catalogues. The study recorded user behaviour unobtrusively and focused exclusively on what actually occured during the search process. Among other findings it was revealed that the use of system supplied search aids varied, from low use of quick search and express search features, to more extensive use of search history and searching databases other than the home catalogue. Analysis of search results revealed that 66% of subject (keyword) and name searches produce 10 or fewer results, and 82% produce 25 or fewer titles, a manageable number for searchers to scan postings and spot relevant materials. User persistence in scanning titles was found to be high with the full list being requested for nearly 40% of searches netting up to 100 results. Overall, results show that emphasis on improved system design must be stressed if the needs of the majority of searchers are to be met more effectively