Online library catalog search performance by older adult users |
| |
| Institution: | 1. School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA;2. State Key Laboratory of Software Development Environment, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China;3. College of Automation, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China;4. School of Economics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China;1. University of Tulsa, USA;2. Oregon State University, USA;3. North Carolina State University, USA;4. University of Nebraska at Omaha, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | Previous information retrieval research has neglected examination of older adults' search behavior. The present study examined the online search performance and associated errors of 54 older adult users of a representative online library catalog system. Participants' error data were examined in the framework of Borgman's three layers of knowledge needed to perform online library catalog searching: (1) conceptual knowledge, (2) semantic knowledge, and (3) technical skills in executing the query. The results of older adults were consistent with findings of previous online library catalog studies with younger adults. Older adults experienced serious problems at all three knowledge layers but experienced their most severe difficulties with conceptual knowledge of how to search the online library catalog system (e.g., formulating queries, understanding and using keyword and Boolean searching, and understanding the contents of databases). The significance of these findings for older adults' use of online library catalogs will be discussed. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
