Collection Guides Usability Study, Novice Users GroupA Presentation of FindingsSpring 2010

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)

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

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

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’

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.

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?

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?

Task 5: Problem Area Discovered

Task 5: athletics media relations

5E. From the Standard View, how would you request access to this collection?

Task 5: Problem Area Discovered

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.

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

Task 6: Problem Area Discovered

Other Issues to Note

Task 2A: How would you find similar items?

4 participants chose other means by which to find these items.

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’.

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.

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).

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’

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’

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

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

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

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