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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.

Department(s)

Library and Learning Resources

Keywords and Phrases

Libraries; Tools, Academic libraries; Empirical test; Existing systems; Search activity; Search behavior; Search system; Transaction log; Transaction log analysis, Behavioral research

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1044-7318; 1532-7590

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2014 Taylor & Francis Inc., All rights reserved.

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