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: Went to catalog and typed in keyword search. No entries found in initial search but then removed a word (an article) from the search and ended up with some results. Used quick search 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. Did not find  referral link to Gore, Al  and decided we had no books by Gore.

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. Found 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 to "How to" first but didn't click anything. Then went to quick search catalog. Found journal in the drop down menu. It was left from the previous student's search.

Observer's comments: Will mark this successful although subject had a little help because the journal was in the drop down menu.

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 to "How to" and found Request book or article we do not own.

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 catalog and typed in stem cells as keyword. Then browsed over e-journals but said could only find titles, not subjects. Went to research by subject and said this was frustrating because would just like to be able to type in the topic. Went to bioethics in subject guide, then to databases listed in the guide and chose Biosis. Typed stem cells in search box and found articles.

Observer's comments: Subject took a very long way around but did eventually get articles although not through the Find Articles link. This could be marked unsuccessful or only partially successful. Will mark it unsuccessful because of the route subject took.

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: Went to "About" and found list of libraries there.

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: Would like to see links to library hours on the top page or a list of the libraries. This would encourage more people to go to the library. Was looking for JSTOR but couldn't figure out where to go. Typed JSTOR into the catalog and couldn't find it. Then decided it was a database. Felt overwhelmed with so much to choose from.

Observer's comments:

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

User's response/comments: Likes keyword option in the catalog. Found JSTOR frustrating. Likes to have keyword in the search options. Need to have codes in JSTOR

Observer's comments: Not sure what subject meant by codes.

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

User's response/comments: Is there a link to Copley's website? Has worked at BPL at Copley and would like to go easily between two websites. Linda pointed out Other Library Catalogs.

Observer's comments: