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Observational Study of OPAC users

Observational Study of OPAC users. Martin Wolf Cardiff University. Overview. Why and how the study was done Results of the project Further action and wider implications. Why the study was done. Importance of electronic information resources

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Observational Study of OPAC users

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  1. Observational Study of OPAC users Martin Wolf Cardiff University

  2. Overview • Why and how the study was done • Results of the project • Further action and wider implications

  3. Why the study was done • Importance of electronic information resources • Anecdotal evidence suggests OPAC not intuitive to use • Development of information literacy policy • Desire to experiment with new feedback methods

  4. How the study was done • Consulted with researchers • Ethnographic observation technique • Project undertaken by SCONUL trainee • Pilot study to test feasibility and establish criteria • Project undertaken and report written

  5. Good points: A lot of data Detailed picture Engage users (hard to say no) Bad Points: A lot of data Time consuming Sacrifice breadth for depth Effectiveness of method

  6. Main findings • Most not efficient OPAC users • Searches too specific or too broad • Specific options most popular, but hard to use • Keyword searches too broad • No use of operators or limits

  7. Further action • Voyager training chosen as key first item for VLE content • New approaches to help pages being considered • Use of “automatic limiters” to be implemented • Developing new ways of training

  8. Professional Issues • The importance of evaluating services • Information literacy – opportunities for libraries • Feedback – consideration of different evaluation methods

  9. Summary • Why and how study undertaken • Results of project • Further action and wider implications • Worthwhile exercise

  10. Observational study of OPAC users Martin Wolf Cardiff University

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