While writing a paper last semester for Cataloging I ran across a common theme in the literature. Throughout library science literature, end users’ natural information seeking behaviors are not studied. Users’ behavior is recorded and analyzed as users interact with existing information retrieval systems, but their behavior is not studied and an IR system designed around it. In a 2009 article by Somerville and Brar I found this is also the case in constructing digital libraries. The problem of not taking into account end users’ natural information seeking behavior is exasperated in the net generation. Libraries need to adapt their online presence and methods of connecting users to information in order to better compete with students go to resources, commercial search engines.
The authors took a novel approach to this problem. They gathered volunteers and allowed the students to search the library’s digital collection with their real world problems while librarians’ observed their strategies. Then the authors took it one step closer towards providing user focused library services. They allowed participants to alter vendor’s ‘off the shelf’ software into something that better met their search expectations. As user searches became more successful the library even decided to change how it viewed its own performance. In addition to tracking the normal numerical statistics (how many people used the physical or digital library), they started to keep track of how many students used the library with success. No longer will the library think itself successful if 1,000 students utilize it every day, but only 30 find the answers they need. By focusing on the end user libraries can design systems that bolster users’ success rates creating happier users and increasing the institution’s relevance in the age of easy information.
That sounds like an interesting article. I read one a few semesters ago about designing a new "browser". It was part search, part look at multiple hits to see where the user goes next. I will post the reference info if I can find a copy of the article.
ReplyDeleteThe research was really interesting to read about. I have often wondered why "nobody asked me" when a change/"upgrade" is made to software or some other object or space that I use. Little things like what side of the page an option i=s on or how far one has to move the mouse to get to a button, or even the tags that indicate the functions such as "Enbter" or "submit" or "Go", and so on. If it is too inconvenient or difficult to understand a patron may not use the service.
ReplyDeleteThe information seeking behavior of some health care professionals (physicians or nurses) I experience goes like this... I get an email or stopped in the hallway and they hurriedly explain what they think they need. In all fairness, they have patients to care for and my role is to support their efforts. Their behavior plays a role in my job security.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that information seeking behavior of users is hard to get a handle on for the reason of changes in search interfaces. I think Kimberly expressed the frustrations that I have experience very well. Some basic questions I ask myself if I have a need for information. What is and where can I find the source to look for it? and How do I look for it within the source.
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