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WebPAC, Encore, and Research Pro usability issues at Deakin University

WebPAC, Encore, and Research Pro usability issues at Deakin University. AIUG Conference November 12-13, 2009. www.deakin.edu.au/library. About Deakin University. 4 campuses 1 metropolitan, 3 regional Diverse user groups with different needs regional/metropolitan/international students

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WebPAC, Encore, and Research Pro usability issues at Deakin University

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  1. WebPAC, Encore, and Research Pro usability issues at Deakin University AIUG Conference November 12-13, 2009 www.deakin.edu.au/library

  2. About Deakin University 4 campuses 1 metropolitan, 3 regional Diverse user groups with different needs regional/metropolitan/international students 30% study off campus Academic staff evenly spread across age groups and genders www.deakin.edu.au/library

  3. Usability testing background Testing conducted in 2008 and again in 2009: 4 user groups identified: U/G, P/G, Academic, International Participants asked to complete a series of tasks, and encouraged to “think out loud” 2008 testing compared 3 search interfaces – Existing WebPAC / New version of WebPAC/ Encore 2009 testing focused on the Library’s search gateway How the search interfaces “hung together” on the Library home page What pathways were clients choosing? Had the usability issues identified in earlier testing been addressed? www.deakin.edu.au/library

  4. WebPAC Pro: tabbed layout • ‘Tabbed’ layout in use • 2007-2008 www.deakin.edu.au/library

  5. WebPAC Pro: Skyline-based layout www.deakin.edu.au/library

  6. www.deakin.edu.au/library

  7. www.deakin.edu.au/library

  8. www.deakin.edu.au/library

  9. Classic catalogue working “as well as it can” Has loyal followers – academics, postgraduate students, librarians Has some ‘idiosyncracies’ or inherent flaws that make it difficult for the average undergraduate to use it intuitively www.deakin.edu.au/library

  10. WebPAC Pro: Inherent problems Number of options / choices can be overwhelming for undergraduates and international students www.deakin.edu.au/library

  11. Incorrect use of Subject index – not realising it’s a controlled vocabulary Using search box at top of search results screen, and failing to change the index drop down box Incorrect author searching www.deakin.edu.au/library

  12. Encore • Running Encore version 3 • About to upgrade to version 3.3 • Initially results a little overwhelming • Easy to understand once they “get it” www.deakin.edu.au/library

  13. Handles author searching well • ‘Refine by’ facet used • Now the default search for most users www.deakin.edu.au/library

  14. Encore problems Selecting ‘Available online’ when trying to access e-books or journals www.deakin.edu.au/library

  15. No Deakin Header / Navigation / Different colour scheme • Lack of tailorability • Concepts like ‘Add to cart’ unfamiliar • Clients wonder: “Where am I”? www.deakin.edu.au/library

  16. Major usability issue: Encore unable to deliver effective unit material searching www.deakin.edu.au/library

  17. Unable to deliver effective unit material searching The same search in Encore: Unit materialE-readings Exam papers Reading list materialReserve by UnitReserve by Lecturer • Need tailorable facets so we can offer a Unit material facet www.deakin.edu.au/library

  18. Research Pro #1 usability issue: the way the tabs display Client sees blank tab with no result and walks away Tended to be flaky www.deakin.edu.au/library

  19. Research Pro Version 2.0 • Direct links to Full Text HTML or PDF from results display • Cover images when available • Faster • No tabs www.deakin.edu.au/library

  20. Research Pro 2.0 has better integration with Encore 3.3 • User can stay in article searching • Relevancy ranking better than Summon • Possibly the focus of the next round of usability testing! www.deakin.edu.au/library

  21. Michelle Watsonmichelle.watson@deakin.edu.auph. 52278220 www.deakin.edu.au/library

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