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This talk was given at the Innovative Users Group conference (IUG) in Chicago, IL on 16 April 2012. I spoke about research into user experience and understanding of next-generation library catalogues from a perspective of mental models theory at Senate House Library, University of London.
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User experience of Encore:a mental models approach
Andrew PreaterSenate House LibrariesUniversity of London
bit.ly/uol175
Our readers understanding of EncoreWhat this means for us
What I’ll talk about
Encore live June 2011
Positioned as default catalog
Positioning Encore
Breeding, M. (2010). Next-gen library catalogs. London: Facet
Mental models
3. Unscientific2. Unstable1. Incomplete
4. Lack firm boundaries
Maya (age 10), primary school pupilhttp://www.canyoudrawtheinternet.com
“The mental model of a device is formed largely by interpreting its perceived actions and its visible structure.”
Norman, D.A. (1988) The design of everyday things. 2nd edn. New York, NY: Doubleday.
Designing for library users
1. A consistent conceptual model...
2. A consistent and intelligible user experience...
3. You only need train users on the conceptual model
Does that match your experience?
Catalog mental models
Borgman, C. (1986) ‘The user’s mental model of an information retrieval system: an experiment on a prototype online catalog’, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 51 (2), pp. 435-452.
Dimitroff, A. (1992) ‘Mental models theory and search outcome in a bibliographic retrieval system’, Library and Information Science Research, 14 (2), pp. 141-155.
1.Contents of the database
2.Interactive nature of the system
3.Existence of multiple files
4.Multiple fields within each record
5.Multiple indexes and / or inverted indexes
6.Boolean search capability
7.Keyword search capability
8.Use of controlled vocabulary
Dimitroff, A. (1992) ‘Mental models theory and search outcome in a bibliographic retrieval system’, Library and Information Science Research, 14 (2), pp. 141-155.
Clements Library Card by David Fulmer, license CC-BY http://flic.kr/p/7Cs5gQ
Investigating mental models
1. Cognitive walkthroughs
2. Structured interview using Repertory Grid Technique
3. Stories, anecdotes, and conversations
Repertory Grid Technique?
Crudge, S.E. and Johnson, F.C. (2007) ‘Using the repertory grid and laddering technique to determine the user's evaluative model of search engines’, Journal of Documentation, 63 (2) pp. 259–280
Constructs
‘Clear user interface’versus
‘Cluttered user interface’
‘A specialist tool’versus
‘A general search tool’
‘Terms in catalog are easy to understand’versus
‘Stuffy or out-dated jargon’
Rate your catalogs on a five point scale:
WebPAC Encore Ideal catalog
‘Cluttered user
interface’4 2 1 ‘Clear user
interface’
Repeat 10 constructs, 10 participants
Sort grids using ‘FOCUS’
Can now represent it visually
Shaw, M.L.G. and Thomas, L.F. (1978) ‘FOCUS on education – an interactive computer system for the development and analysis of repertory grids’, International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 10 (2), pp. 139-173.
A completed grid
1. Summary of grid data
Encore closer to ideal than the WebPAC to the ideal
Strongly contrasting views of Encore
2. Summary of qualitative data
Readers behave like they’re using web search
Encore encourages this behavior?
Affective aspects of catalog use
Implications for the library
Staff training focused on explaining the system
Small groups trained in-depth on Encore
One approach won’t suit all readers
Feedback is generally positive
How we followed up on this
