Library and Learning Resources Faculty Research & Creative Works
Fitting Users' Needs into Web-Based Area Studies Resources: A Study of the Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC)
Abstract
The Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC, http://lanic.utexas. edu/) is an academic Website that houses various databases and similar projects and provides directory access to sites in and about Latin America. Exploratory research into the site's usability was performed in October and November of 2002 through surveys, card sorting, and observation. Problems addressed included users' (in)ability to identify and use databases, (in)adequacy of the site's and the directory's - hierarchical structures, (in)adequacy of subject terms, and page size. Several open-ended questions were used to solicit criticisms and suggestions from users. Overall, users were successful in using the Website and expressed satisfaction with it, but some problems, both major and minor, were uncovered.
Recommended Citation
Letalien, B. L., & Chen, H. (2003). Fitting Users' Needs into Web-Based Area Studies Resources: A Study of the Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC). Proceedings of the 66th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology (2003, Long Beach, CA), 40, pp. 306-315. John Wiley & Sons Inc..
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1002/meet.1450400138
Meeting Name
66th Annual Meeting of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 2003 ASIS&T (2003: Oct. 19-22, Long Beach, CA)
Department(s)
Library and Learning Resources
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0044-7870; 1550-8390
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2003 John Wiley & Sons Inc., All rights reserved.
