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:

Observer's comments: Catalog Quick Search for books then "sort through the results"

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 (rolls over the "Library Catalog" link "that's the same thing")-
clicks author- types "Al Gore" concludes no authors by the name of Al Gore.

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:

Observer's comments: using the eJournal Locator - type "Journal of Asset Management"  and understands the results page

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:  clicks on FIND ARTICLES USING DATABASES --> BACK--> Catalog Quick Search by keyword types "Journal of marriage and the family"

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: goes directly to the HOW TO link " Request a Book or Article We Don't Own"

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: using the eJournal Locator - types "stem cells" and finds the journal "Stem Cells" --> BACK --> FIND ARTICLES USING DATABASES-- stops seems uncertain what to do from there

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_____                     Unsuccessful__X___

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: Right to the ALL LIBRARIES dropdown --> SEL--> 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: "seems pretty helpful" "everything is there"

Observer's comments:

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

User's response/comments:  "Catalog Quick Search box " "haven't used much else"

Observer's comments:

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

User's response/comments: No

Observer's comments: