Information Needs of Anthropologists

Anthropologists at seven universities were surveyed in order to discover: the ways in which they go about locating information of value to them; the information sources that they use and that are of the greatest significance to them; the adequacy of the library service being currently provided to anthropologists; and any opinions they have on the subject of their information needs. Results show that anthropologists; information requirements differ somewhat from those of other social scientists. Reference lists in journals and books are often used to locate information sources; journals are the most important information source. However, cultural anthropologists report that their own field data is their most significant source. Anthropologists use pictorial sources and maps more frequently than social scientists in general do; they also make great use of interlibrary loan. Most of the information needs of the majority of respondents are met by their university's library. Older scholars tend to use databases less than younger ones do; online abstracts and indexes are most important to anthropologists than their print versions are. Some respondents express a great desire for a database which would include current references, abstracts, and articles in anthropology.     

Beyond Usability: The Study of Functionality of the 2.0 Online Catalogue (OPAC)

A usability test of Copac was carried out to inform developments in both its usability and functionality. Participants were assigned tasks, using specific system features, and their actions and thoughts were collected through think aloud to reveal potential issues with the system. Retrospective thinking and subsequent reflection were gathered in a focus group to provide greater insight into perceived functionality (current and potential) of the system. The study demonstrated the importance of the application of usability principles in the interface design. Many of the issues associated with search, records display, and use of specific features related to the attributes of ease of use, appearance, navigation, and terminology and provided the evidence base for re-design. The study also highlighted the importance of the users’ perceptions and expectations of functionality in the specific usage contexts. Continued user testing is recommended to inform further development of functionality in the broader contexts of information use to ensure the value and use of the system features are evident in the system design and meet the expectations of its users.     

Putting Students in the Driver's Seat

Abstract

Library Web pages are increasingly designed to be the initial entry point for research, whether used from the library or off campus. But the pages must be intuitive and easy to use or students may bypass them completely, in favor of more familiar Web resources. This article presents the process, results, and evaluation of a Web usability study conducted at Linfield College with undergraduate participants. Web usability testing was a relatively quick and inexpensive way to find out how students used the library Web pages, information that proved invaluable in making effective modifications to them. In the process, researchers gained insights into student online searching and research patterns that have informed reference and teaching activities as well.     

How and Why of User Studies: RLG's RedLightGreen as a Case Study

SUMMARY

This article documents a lifecycle approach to employing user-centered design, covering both qualitative and quantitative data gathering methods in support of using this approach for product design, usability testing, and market research. The author provides specific case studies of usability studies, focus groups, interviews, ethnographic studies, and web log analysis. The article supplies practical advice and tools for those interested in exploring user-centered design concepts for web-based tools and services in archives, libraries, and museums.     

User-Centered Design in Practice: The Brown University Experience

ABSTRACT

This article presents a case study in user-centered design that explores the needs and preferences of undergraduate users. An analysis of LibQual+ and other user surveys, interviews with public service staff, and a formal American with Disabilities Act accessibility review served as the basis for planning a redesign of the Brown University Library's Web site. Three testing phases were conducted: individual usability testing of the existing site and baseline data collection on Web use preferences; focus groups to respond to a functional prototype and search prototypes; and individual usability testing and interviews on revised functional prototypes. The delicate task of obtaining staff buy-in without letting their opinion drive the redesign was accomplished by keeping the project team small and nonrepresentational, submitting all conflicts to user testing, and promising an intranet that would meet the specialized needs of staff. A commitment to experimentation and a willingness to jettison design and functional elements which did not meet user approval kept the design process agile and flexible. Prototype testing of a variety of search options clearly demonstrated that the lack of integration in a library's information system makes it difficult to rationalize and optimize the user's search experience. Difficulties enlisting staff to edit existing Web content were solved by outsourcing content review and editing for Web-appropriate length and format. Except for this content review, the Web site redesign and usability testing were all conducted in-house with limited resources and a nine-month time-frame. The study's focus on user expectations and nomenclature largely confirmed the results of previous studies.     

Usability Studies and User-Centered Design in Digital Libraries

ABSTRACT

Digital libraries continue to flourish. At the same time, the principles of user-centered design and the practice of usability testing have been growing in popularity, spreading their influence into the library sphere. This article explores the confluence of these two trends by surveying the current literature on usability studies of digital libraries. This article focuses on the methodology of studies of multimedia digital libraries.     

The North Carolina State University Libraries Search Experience: Usability Testing Tabbed Search Interfaces for Academic Libraries

Creating a learnable, effective, and user-friendly library Web site hinges on providing easy access to search. Designing a search interface for academic libraries can be particularly challenging given the complexity and range of searchable library collections, such as bibliographic databases, electronic journals, and article search silos. Library Web designers must decide whether to present users with a single search interface—one that searches across content silos by default—or to offer an interface that exposes the various silos available. Designers must also contend with the user's entire search experience and determine how search should appear on the library home page as well as in global navigation systems. In the spring of 2010, the North Carolina State University Libraries sought to answer search design questions for an upcoming Web site design effort. The Libraries evaluated two different search interfaces to determine whether a tabbed search approach with options to pre-select silos is an effective design for end users. Findings show that a tabbed search interface is an effective design device for presenting multiple silos. This study outlines the methods the North Carolina State University Libraries used to conduct usability testing as well as observations, findings, and recommendations about effective design of search on academic library Web sites.     

Side by Side: What a Comparative Usability Study Told Us About a Web Site Redesign

Library Web sites must compete against easy-to-use sites, such as Google Scholar, Google Books, and Wikipedia, for students’ time and attention. Library Web sites must therefore be designed with aesthetics and user perceptions at the forefront. The Music and Performing Arts Library at Urbana-Champaign's Web site was overcrowded and in much need of a user-focused redesign. This article presents a usability study that compared participants’ use of the old site versus the new site to determine if performance improved on the redesigned site. Participants were asked to complete library-related tasks on both the old Web site and on the redesigned Web site to determine if they could both complete more tasks and complete tasks more quickly on the new site. Participants showed a marked improvement on the new site, and their “think-out-loud” responses to the tasks helped further improve site design and wording. Participants were also surveyed about their perceptions of ease of use and navigation on the old and new sites, and in general, the new site was preferred by participants and seen as a great improvement. Future studies will aim to further involve students and faculty in addressing terminology and site organization.     

热连轧机工作机座的二自由度垂直振动模型研究

提出一种四辊轧机工作机座垂直振动的二自由度集中质量模型,使用Matlab软件计算了动力学模型的等效质量和等效刚度参数以及系统的无阻尼振动固有频率。通过轧制过程现场振动测试信号的分析,验证了所建模型的正确性。     

尿素粒度测定方法的研究

采用高效数显筛分仪测定尿素成品粒度,探索了振幅档位、时间档位、分析温度、相对湿度等条件对测定结果的影响,确定了适合成品尿素粒度分析的振筛机档位的最佳操作条件。