Website Usability

Data

Q1:  1 . When beginining a new topic most students and other researchers start by Googling some key words. Let's assume you have done that and now you have decided or your Professor has asked you to find some more scholarly sources. Using the library website, and not having a specific source in mind yet- how would you begin?

User's response/comments: looking for "J-something"

Observer's comments: eJournal Locator--> BACK--> EJournal  Locator-->BACK-->Find Articles using Databases-->SCROLL looking for Jstor "OK"

Follow-up to Q1 if unsuccessful: If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase or LINK you were looking for, but did not find?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q2:  Using the library website, can you tell if the library has any books written by Al Gore?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: Catalog Quick Search (by author)--> types "Al Gore" 

"Oh, maybe I have to search for Gore, Al?"  (viewing results "...these are not all books... "

Follow-up to Q2l: If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful_X____                     Unsuccessful______

Q3:  Using the library website, can you find the electronic edition of the Journal of Asset Management?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: eJournal Locator (types) "Journal of Asset Management" (with a misspelling) - not found--> clicks the Online Catalog link --> BACK --> HOME --> Find Articles using Databases "I don't know how to find it..." gets the correct spelling --> BACK --> eJournal Locator (types) "Journal of Asset Management" and succeeds

First follow-up to Q3:  If the participant goes to the catalog and stops, the librarian should ask, "Is there anywhere else on the library website to look for this?"

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Second follow-up to Q3:  If the student still does not find the eJournals list, the librarian should ask, "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q4:  Using the library website, can you find the print edition or hard copy edition of the Journal of marriage and the family?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: Catalog Quick Search (clicks Journal Title)--> types "Journal of marriage and the family" finds it but looking right at the record - still not sure if we have it!

Follow-up to Q4: If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase were you looking for, but did not find?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q5:  Using the library website, how would you get a book or article we do not own?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: "I know that I can get stuff"  "I know there's a way" ... --> SERVICES dropdown--> InterLibrary Loan

Follow-up to Q5 if unsuccessful: If students did not make it to the ILL page, the librarian should ask, "what word or phrase were you looking for, but did not find?"

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q6:  Using the library website, how would you find a journal article about stem cells?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: -->Find Articles using Databases-->(scans list for Jstor) Jstor--> searches for "stem cells"  "...I'm sure there are other search engines..."

Follow-up to Q6:

If the students navigate to a database through research guides or similar, the librarian should praise the student and show her the FIND ARTICLES link and ask, "Is there a better way to word that?"

If the student is unable to get to a location to find an article, the librarian should ask, "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q7:   In addition to Mugar Library Boston University has several branch libraries and some very specialized libraries (for example, the Science & Engineering Library or the Pardee Management Library). Using the library website - is it possible to find information about those libraries or any one of the libraries- (for example,  the hours or services offered)?

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments: scrolls around and clicks the ALL BU LIBRARIES dropdown--> Management--> rolls over but doesn't click on HOURS

Follow-up to Q7:

Note if sucessful by using About -- Departments or All BU Libraries dropdown.

If unsucessful ask "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

User's response/comments:

Observer's comments:

Successful__X___                     Unsuccessful______

Q8:  How would you change the library's website to make it more useful for you?

User's response/comments:  suggests links to the "basic stuff" "like JSTOR"  on the top level page- a link like "Search for academic articles" so students can "go directly to it"

Observer's comments:

Q9:  What do you find useful on the library's website?

User's response/comments: "the Book Search" ( Catalog Quick Search) and the "dropdowns are good"

Observer's comments:

Q10:  Is there anything you would like to tell us about the library's website?

User's response/comments: "better colors"

Observer's comments: