Study of User Search Activities With Two Discovery Tools at an Academic Library

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate and compare user search activities of 2 discovery tools at an academic library. The implementation of a new discovery tool (Primo by Ex Libris) to replace an existing system (VuFind) provided a unique opportunity to collect transaction logs of both systems and examine user search behavior in an empirical test. Results from a transaction log analysis and a user study of this study have contributed to the understanding of users’ search behavior and their preferences and perceptions of the two systems. We find both commonalities and differences between VuFind and Primo for users’ interactions. The combination use of the transaction log analysis and user study could be applied to other similar search systems assessments.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xi Niu

Xi Niu is an assistant professor in human–computer interaction at Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing. She received her Ph.D. degree in Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research areas are information systems evaluation and innovative search technologies.

Tao Zhang

Tao Zhang is an assistant professor of Library Science at Purdue University, working as a Digital User Experience Specialist for Purdue University Libraries’ web presence. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2009.

Hsin-liang Chen

Hsin-liang Chen is an associate professor in the Department of Library and Information Science in the School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University–Indianapolis. His research interests center on the applications of information and communication technologies to assist users in accessing and using information in different environments.