Linear vs. Visual Cognitive Style and Faceted vs. Visual Interaction in Digital Library User Interfaces

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Shiri ◽  
Stan Ruecker ◽  
Emily Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Cognitive Style ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Controlled Vocabularies ◽  
Faceted Search ◽  
Visual Interaction ◽  
Library User

The paper examines the relationships between users’ cognitive and learning styles, their preferences for visual or faceted search user interfaces, and their information seeking strategies, in the context of a user-centred evaluation of two user interfaces for digital libraries, namely Searchling and T-Saurus (Shiri et al. 2011). Both interfaces provide access to multilingual libraries through interfaces that leverage the controlled vocabularies contained in multilingual thesauri.Cette communication examine les liens entre les styles cognitifs et d’apprentissage des utilisateurs, leurs préférences pour des interfaces de recherche visuelle ou par facette ainsi que leurs stratégies de recherche d’information, dans le contexte d’une évaluation centrée sur l’utilisateur de deux interfaces de bibliothèques numériques, soit Searchling et T-Saurus (Shiri et al., 2011). Les deux interfaces donnent accès à des bibliothèques multilingues en misant sur le vocabulaire contrôlé de thésaurus multilingues.

Building digital collections in a public university library in Ghana: priority-setting and user needs assessment

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesba Yaa Anima Adzobu
Keyword(s):  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Academic Library ◽  
User Needs ◽  
Digital Collections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Communities ◽  
Library User

Purpose – Although user needs assessment is an intrinsic element of service quality delivery in digital libraries (DLs), not much has been written on this topic in the context of African universities. This is understandable as academic digital libraries in Africa are rather nascent. Even so, the most frequently-used needs assessment methods do not directly involve the users. This study aims to assess priority setting by academic library administrators and the needs of patrons of digital collections of a public university library in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Analysis of official university documents and interviews with digital library patrons at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana were carried out between September, 2011 and January, 2012. Five research questions were asked: what are the current conditions of the UCC digital library project, the user communities and their needs, what are the priorities set by the university administrators and library leaders at the UCC and the state of technological readiness in place and what are needed by the UCCDL. Also, what is the extent of collaboration by interested parties in the UCCDL? Findings – Three general digital library user communities were identified, that is, UCCDL staff- this community was composed of experts in both digital library systems and content, characterized as heavy users of the existing systems, as knowledgeable about articulated (formalized) user needs, and able to devote short (usually less than two hours) amounts of time to individual's needs. Next, are scholars and other visitors to the UCCDL – this community was characterized as having high levels of domain expertise and knowledge of library systems. They are also able to devote large but specific amounts of time (days or weeks) to their individual information needs. Visitors/Prospective users- this community was characterized as having varied levels of domain expertise and low levels of library systems knowledge. They are able to devote only short periods of time to their information needs or explorations. These user communities are influenced by diverse preferences, experiences, and knowledge structures. Practical implications – Academic libraries are increasingly advocating local user studies as a way to provide the digital library services that are relevant to the culture and user population of the academic institution. Replicating digital library user studies at the local level can provide information for improving existing services or developing new ones. Originality/value – In African public universities, there is little earlier research on digital library user needs assessments or DL priority-setting by academic library administrators.

scholarly journals Generating Collaborative Systems for Digital Libraries: a Model-Driven Approach

2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessio Malizia ◽  
Paolo Bottoni ◽  
S. Levialdi
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Automatic Generation ◽  
Visual Language ◽  
Domain Experts ◽  
Model Driven ◽  
Neutral Models ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
High Level

The design and development of a digital library involves different stakeholders, such as: information architects, librarians, and domain experts, who need to agree on a common language to describe, discuss, and negotiate the services the library has to offer. To this end, high-level, language-neutral models have to be devised. Metamodeling techniques favor the definition of domainspecific visual languages through which stakeholders can share their views and directly manipulate representations of the domain entities. This paper describes CRADLE (Cooperative-Relational Approach to Digital Library Environments), a metamodel-based framework and visual language for the definition of notions and services related to the development of digital libraries. A collection of tools allows the automatic generation of several services, defined with the CRADLE visual language, and of the graphical user interfaces providing access to them for the final user. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by presenting digital libraries generated with CRADLE, while the CRADLE environment has been evaluated by using the cognitive dimensions framework.

scholarly journals Students' Information-Seeking Intention in Academic Digital Libraries

2017 ◽  
pp. 259-273
Author(s):  
Faeizah Salim ◽  
Bavani Saigar ◽  
Pravin Kumar Armoham ◽  
Sarasvathy Gobalakrishnan ◽  
Michelle Yen Pin Jap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Library Users ◽  
Digital Library Services

The purpose of this research is to examine students' information-seeking intention regarding academic digital library services guiding by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Data was collected among students in a public higher learning institution in Federal Territory of Labuan Malaysia. The empirical result of the hierarchical regression had confirmed that students' intention to seek for information in digital library was influenced mainly by their attitude, implying that, in predicting the information-seeking intention in an academic digital library with TPB was much better than TRA. The findings of the research provide broader insights for the academic digital libraries to be more aware of the important factors that influence library users in seeking for information and fulfil their requirement. A new motion can be developed by using the result of this research, which improve the knowledge from previous studies via the assessment from TPB.

Using Multi-Document Summarization to Facilitate Semi-Structured Literature Retrieval

2005 ◽  
pp. 111-128
Author(s):  
Min-Yen Kan
Keyword(s):  
User Interface ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Document Summarization ◽  
Consumer Healthcare ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Lexical Cues ◽  
Ranked List

This chapter examines the techniques behind a user interface that computes a multi-document summary of documents retrieved by a search. As a user’s query can retrieve thousands of relevant documents, it is paramount that they be logically organized. In digital libraries, documents are traditionally represented as a ranked list of documents ordered by computed relevance and do not take into account presentation techniques used by information professionals (such as librarians) in the physical library. This chapter examines a framework used in a consumer healthcare digital library that incorporates techniques used by librarians. It brings together commonalities between documents and highlights their salient differences to target the needs of users using the browsing and searching modes of information seeking. It achieves this by discovering common and unique topics among its input from a combination of structural and lexical cues.

Metadata and Metaphors in Visual Interfaces to Digital Libraries

2009 ◽  
pp. 270-277
Author(s):  
Ali Shiri
Keyword(s):  
Information Retrieval ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Search ◽  
Interface Design ◽  
Visual Metaphors ◽  
Key Variables ◽  
Design Ideas ◽  
Visual Interfaces

This chapter introduces a new category of digital library user interfaces called metadata-enhanced visual interfaces. Drawing on the earlier information retrieval visual interfaces that have made use of thesauri, this chapter will review and analyze metadata-enhanced visual interfaces to digital libraries based on two key variables, namely metadata elements used for visualization purposes and visual metaphors incorporated into the user interfaces. The aim of this study is to inform the design of visual interfaces for digital libraries through bringing together issues that have roots in such communities as information retrieval, digital libraries, human-computer interaction, and metadata. The findings of this study provide design ideas and implications for digital library interface design in terms of the various metadata-based information search and retrieval features for visualization purposes.

scholarly journals Cognitive styles within an exploratory search system for digital libraries

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 970-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Goodale ◽  
Paul David Clough ◽  
Samuel Fernando ◽  
Nigel Ford ◽  
Mark Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Cognitive Style ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Search System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Attitudes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of cognitive style on navigating a large digital library of cultural heritage information; specifically, the paper focus on the wholist/analytic dimension as experienced in the field of educational informatics. The hypothesis is that wholist and analytic users have characteristically different approaches when they explore, search and interact with digital libraries, which may have implications for system design. Design/methodology/approach – A detailed interactive IR evaluation of a large cultural heritage digital library was undertaken, along with the Riding CSA test. Participants carried out a range of information tasks, and the authors analysed their task performance, interactions and attitudes. Findings – The hypothesis on the differences in performance and behaviour between wholist and analytic users is supported. However, the authors also find that user attitudes towards the system are opposite to expectations and that users give positive feedback for functionality that supports activities in which they are cognitively weaker. Research limitations/implications – There is scope for testing results in a larger scale study, and/or with different systems. In particular, the findings on user attitudes warrant further investigation. Practical implications – Findings on user attitudes suggest that systems which support areas of weakness in users’ cognitive abilities are valued, indicating an opportunity to offer diverse functionality to support different cognitive weaknesses. Originality/value – A model is proposed suggesting a converse relationship between behaviour and attitudes; to support individual users displaying search/navigation behaviour mapped onto the strengths of their cognitive style, but placing greater value on interface features that support aspects in which they are weaker.

Role of Social Networking for Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment

2016 ◽  
pp. 272-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganiyu Ojo Adigun ◽  
Oluwole Akanmu Odunola ◽  
Adewale Joel Sobalaje
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Evolutionary Development ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Social Networking Tools

This chapter discusses how to use social networking tools for information seeking in a digital library environment. Social networking is an evolutionary development of online participation, where people of common interest communicate, share and contribute content on the social cyberspace. The role of social networking for information seeking in libraries, most especially digital library is still evolving and cannot be over-emphasized. There is the need for libraries to exploit the advantages presented by these new media in providing better services. Social networking tools enable librarians and other information professionals to communicate, network and share documents with many clients regardless of location, and at little or no expense and viz. The chapter looks at: information seeking / search process; digital libraries; social networking as a concept; relationship between web 2.0, library 2.0, social media and social networking; role of social networking in digital library environment; role of information professionals in using social networking; social media platforms in digital library environment; challenges and prospects of integrating social networking with digital libraries and ways to improve the use of social networking for information seeking and dissemination in the future.

Information-Seeking Behaviour of Users in the Digital Libraries' Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
pp. 26-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. Ondari-Okemwa
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behaviour ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Digital Formats

This chapter addresses the issue of information-seeking behaviour of users in the digital libraries' environment in sub-Saharan Africa. Information-seeking behaviour may be shaped by the environment in which users seek information. A digital library is still relatively new in sub-Saharan Africa and there is not much known about how the digital library environment may shape the information-seeking behaviour and/or information needs of users. The chapter explores the concept of digital libraries and the nature of the collections and services of digital libraries in comparison to traditional libraries. The chapter also discusses what a library is, the services provided by libraries, and the differences between a traditional library and a digital library. Covered in the chapter also is a brief history of digital libraries. Digital literacy as a factor which may shape the information-seeking behavior of users in a digital library environment is also discussed in the chapter. Information literacy has changed drastically. The digital information literacy that may play a role in socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa is no longer the literacy defined as the ability to read and write at a basic level and sign a document. As society is moving from information age to digital age, new definitions of digital information literacy are evolving which include how to access information in digital formats, and how to evaluate information and use it appropriately. Digital information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning and is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments and to all levels of education. In sub-Saharan Africa, levels of digital information literacy are low due to numerous factors which are also explored in this chapter. Development of digital information literacy in sub-Saharan Africa has been slow compared to the development of information and communication technologies in the region. The chapter discusses the extent to which low levels of digital literacy in sub-Saharan Africa may also be responsible for shaping information-seeking behaviour of users in a digital library environment. The chapter concludes that the major differences between the two types of libraries are mainly to do with technology, rather than a fundamental change in the way libraries operate. This is because digital libraries are still libraries which largely share the same objectives and purposes of the traditional libraries.

International Cooperation in Developing a Digital Library Software and South Asia Network

2014 ◽  
pp. 239-255
Author(s):  
A. Neelameghan ◽  
K.S. Raghavan
Keyword(s):  
South Asia ◽  
Digital Library ◽  
User Interfaces ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
International Level ◽  
Indian Languages ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Work Done

Inter-country cooperation in any sector almost invariably begins with information exchange among the nations or groups involved. Briefly Describes international collaboration and networking in developing user-interfaces for selected Indian languages for an open source software - the GSDL (Greenstone Digital Library) software - for creating digital libraries of multilingual multimedia information resources, more particularly for the South Asia region. The steps in the formation of the related GSDL South Asia Network, the tasks assigned to the institutions in the SAARC countries, and the plan of work are mentioned. The role and contributions of the participating institutions and the organizations at the international level and in different countries is also briefly described. Further developmental work needed and problems to be solved as identified from the work done on user-interfaces in Indian languages are highlighted.

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