Web scale discovery: the user experience

Abstract

PurposeThis study looks at how a small group of university students used the new library web scale search discovery tool, Summon, and whether they encountered any difficulties pertaining to navigation, ease of use and the quality of the search results. Design/methodology/approachResearchers conducted a series of usability studies in which students were observed as they conducted some typical library resource searches using the new discovery search platform. FindingsThe paper analyses the data, describes and reports the findings of the usability tests. The study found that the new homepage design of providing a single search box was an effective interface for users. The students found a single search box discovery solution was simple to use, and seemed to deliver satisfactory results on a selection of typical library search tasks.The study confirms some of the promise for web scale discovery, but points to new lines of enquiry in relation to the nature of assistance students will need in the future, particularly in relation to their need to evaluate information. Originality/valueWeb scale discovery searching is an innovation in the online searching of library collections.The study revealed how a small sample of end-users experienced the new type of searching and, serendipitously identified a new issue that warrants further investigation.

Application of Web Discovery Services through VuFind

“…The same thing is true in the field in the field of Library and information science (Fagan & others, 2012). Gross & Sheridan reported that most of the users of academic library prefer Google and they generally use Google for their assignments (Gross & Sheridan, 2011). The same study has been designed by Thompson, Obrig & Abate and the same result was observed as per observations of Gross & Sheridan (Thompson, Obrig & Abate, 2013).…”

Discovering Usability: Comparing Two Discovery Systems at One Academic Library

“…Unfortunately, challenges arose when users looked at search results, perhaps not a surprising finding as discovery tools contain many more types of formats than traditional catalogs. As in studies of Summon (Asher et al 2012;Foster and MacDonald 2013;Gross and Sheridan 2011), users had difficulties locating items, determining who owned an item, and dealing with multiple or similar results.…”

“…Julia Gross and Lutie Sheridan (2011) conducted a usability study of Summon with first-year students in computer science and library and information science. Students were asked to complete four typical library tasks, while researchers observed and recorded movements with Techsmith's Camtasia software (http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.html).…”

Discovering User Behavior: Applying Usage Statistics to Shape Frontline Services

“…To that end, usability tests of discovery services have been helpful in assessing the navigability and search effectiveness of discovery platforms (Gross & Sheridan, 2011;Cassidy et al, 2014). The limitation of usability tests, though, is that they generally comprise a defined set of tasks, usually determined by a librarian or user experience expert.…”