Evaluation of online catalogues: Eliciting information from the user

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4573(91)90067-VGet rights and content

Abstract

An investigation of tools, techniques, and methods for the evaluation of interactive library catalogues is described, with emphasis on diagnostic methods and on use of the catalogue in the wider context of user information-seeking behaviour. A frontend system (Olive) was developed to test various enhancements of traditional transaction logging as a data-gathering technique for evaluation purposes. These include full-screen logging, pre- and post-search, online/offline, and in-search interactive questionnaires, search replays as well as talk-aloud. The extent of subject or hybrid searching activity as opposed to specific item searching is also highlighted.

References (11)

  • N.J. Belkin et al.

    Interaction in information systems: A review of research from document retrieval to knowledge-based systems

  • C.L. Borgman

    Why are online catalogs hard to use? Lessons learned from information retrieval studies

    Journal of the American Society for Information Science

    (1986)
  • B. Dervin et al.

    Information needs and uses

    American Review of Information Science and Technology

    (1986)
  • M.M. Hancock

    Subject searching behaviour at the library catalogue and at the shelves: Implications for online interactive catalogues

    Journal of Documentation

    (1987)
  • M.M. Hancock-Beaulieu

    Online catalogues: A case for the user

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text