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: Would search for books first. Would go to catalog and sift through the results. Went to catalog.

Observer's comments:

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: Went to catalog and clicked author. Typed in Al Gore. Found no matches and said we might not have any books by him.

Observer's comments:

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_____                     Unsuccessful__x____

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

User's response/comments:  Went to e-journal locator and typed in title.

Observer's comments:

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: Went first to Find Articles and then to the catalog. Entered title as keyword, not as journal title but did find it

Observer's comments:

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: Went directly to How to request a book or article.

Observer's comments:

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: Went to e-journal locator and typed in stem cells. Came up with a journal entitled stem cells. Then went to Find Articles but then backed out before clicking in.

Observer's comments: Subject was quasi-successful and would have found articles on the topic in the e-journal but did not initially go to Find Articles.  Will mark as successful, however, because eventually got to Find Articles. Not clear whether subject would have continued search in Find Articles if he hadn't already found a journal entitled Stem Cells.

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:  Went to all BU Libraries and used drop down to get to SEL. Went to Facts and found hours after Linda asked him where he might find the hours of the library.

Observer's comments:

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: It seems helpful. Subject does not use it that much.

Observer's comments:

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

User's response/comments: Likes the catalog quick search.

Observer's comments:

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

User's response/comments: Nothing else.

Observer's comments: