collection guides usability study, novice users group a presentation of findings spring 2010
TRANSCRIPT
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Collection Guides Usability Study, Novice Users GroupA Presentation of FindingsSpring 2010
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Who Were the Participants?(Brief Demographics)
8 Undergraduates (b. 1987- 1990)
1 Graduate (b. 1982)
1 Faculty member, 2 Staff members (b. 1960-1963)
Represented:
Business-Related Fields: Supply Chain Management Business Administration
Science/Engineering: Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Textiles
Humanities: International Studies History Sociology Psychology
Other: Law Research Administration “Student” (unknown field)
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Initial Impressions- Example Finding Aid Clean layout, likes the big tabs,
well organized, easy to locate information– is divided into categories
Most said nothing appears confusing at first glance– straightforward, clear
Uncluttered design, no scrolling, large tabs make easy to read and navigate
Success in describing elements of collection
1/3 identified Collection Guides as belonging to Special Collections
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What Worked As Expected
Task 1: Civil War search
1A. Now sort the results list by creator. Used ‘Sorted by’ Creator
1B. Limit search to the 1860s. Used ‘Date’ facet to limit search by date
1D. Limit search to 1850s Civil War collections with online content only. Used ‘Online Content’ checkbox under Refine Your Search
Task 3: Joel Lane search 3A. Click on collection whose creator is School of Design.
Found correct result in list by Creator
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What Worked As Expected
Task 5: athletics media relations search
5B. Search this collection guide for: wrestling. Used ‘Search this Collection Guide’ to search.
5C. Look at this collection guide from the Standard View. Clicked on Standard View link at top of screen
Task 6: minorities search 6A. Now narrow your search to: African American
college students. Used ‘Subject’ facet and narrowed to ‘African American
college students’
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Problem Areas Discovered
Task 2: Edwin Search Railroad Memorabilia search
2C. Looking at this screen, in which box and folder would you find materials about railcars?
Task 3: Joel Lane House search
3B. Looking at this collection, where would you find its copyright information?
Task 5: athletics media relations
5E. From the Standard View, how would you request access to this collection?
Task 6: minorities
6E. Submit a request for boxes of materials containing information on Lawrence M. Clark’s graduate students.
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Task 2: Problem Area Discovered
Task 2: Edwin Search Railroad Memorabilia search
2C. Looking at this screen, in which box and folder would you find materials about railcars?
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Task 3B vs. 5D: Problem Areas Discovered
Task 3: Joel Lane House search
3B. (Tabbed View): …find its copyright information?
Task 5: athletics media relations search
5D: (Standard View): …find its copyright information?
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Task 5: Problem Area Discovered
Task 5: athletics media relations
5E. From the Standard View, how would you request access to this collection?
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Task 5: Problem Area Discovered
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Task 6: Problem Area Discovered
Task 6: minorities
6E. Submit a request for boxes of materials containing information on Lawrence M. Clark’s graduate students.
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Task 6: Problem Area Discovered
Task 6E: …submit a request…Lawrence M. Clark’s graduate students.
9 people selected the ‘Contact Us’ tab as first step
1 person unsure about requesting restricted materials
5 people submitted a request for information using the web form
No participants submitted the correct information
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Task 6: Problem Area Discovered
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Other Issues to Note
Task 2A: How would you find similar items?
4 participants chose other means by which to find these items.
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Other Issues to Note
Task 4E: …sign up to be informed of new materials…?
5 participants sure this was correct choice
3 participants did not choose ‘Subscribe to this search’.
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Other Issues to Note
Task 4E: …sign up to be informed of new materials…?
3 participants did not choose ‘Subscribe to this search’.
7 participants were unsure if this was the correct choice.
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Trend Observed with Facets
Task 1C: Change your search to be limited to the 1850s instead of the 1860s.
Unexpected: No participants removed keywords by clicking X in facet boxes at top of screen (yellow boxes, red X).
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Trends Observed with Searching
1.) Task 2C: …box and folder…find information on railcars?
3 people found and used ‘Search this Collection Guide’ search box
2 people used Cntl+F to search
7 people searched by scrolling through page
2.) Task 3C: Search the collection for: Rumley House.
9 people found and used ‘Search this Collection Guide’
1 person used Cntl+F to search
3.) Task 5B: Search this collection guide for: wrestling
10 people use ‘Search this Collection Guide’
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Trends Observed with Searching
1.) Task 2C: …box and folder…find information on railcars?
3 people found and used ‘Search this Collection Guide’ search box
2 people used Cntl+F to search
7 people searched by scrolling through page
2.) Task 3C: Search the collection for: Rumley House.
9 people found and used ‘Search this Collection Guide’
1 person used Cntl+F to search
3.) Task 5B: Search this collection guide for: wrestling
10 people use ‘Search this Collection Guide’
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Other Noted Trends
1.) Task 2D: You’re writing a research paper. How would you cite this collection?
4 people used the Preferred Citation under the Administrative Information tab
2.) Most participants noticed 24 hours notice is required
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Quick Summary of Post-Test Survey Answers
1.) Most preferred Tabbed View.
2.) Majority do use Help pages, when offered
3.) Half are familiar with Cntl+F
4.) All would use feature to export citations to RefWorks, or similar
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What do you think a Collection Guide is? Guide that allows users to
search collections of materials at NCSU
A collection of information on a subject
A detailed card catalog system
Summary and index of what’s in a collection
Guide illustrating all the library has on a subject
A group of specific documents/ journals/ information about a subject
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Suggestions
1.) Remove delineation, make search box prominent
2.) Move ‘Similar Items: Find’ up higher than the Subjects links
3.) Clarify: physical collections housed in Libraries, available for patrons to view
4.) Make Contact Information more prominent in Standard View
5.) In Standard View, create link to web form
6.) Place links next to individual items to request access
7.) Create separate web form for requesting materials, or modify existing web form