Quantitative Approach Applied to User Interface of Latin American Web OPACs

Quantitative Approach Applied to User Interface of Latin American Web OPACs

Elsa Barber (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Silvia Pisano (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Sandra Romagnoli (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Verónica Parsiale (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Gabriela de Pedro (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina), Carolina Gregui (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Nancy Blanco (Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Copyright: © 2013 |Pages: 23
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-1912-8.ch006
OnDemand PDF Download:
Available
$37.50
Current Special Offers
No Current Special Offers
TOTAL SAVINGS: $37.50

Abstract

This chapter studies user interfaces of Web Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs) and presents their principal difficulties in facing the man-machine interaction and the contributions of Web 2.0 to overcome these limitations. Methodologies used to study OPACs interfaces are examined. A quantitative approach is used to analyze Web OPACs in academic, special, national, and public libraries through the conclusive use of several tests: chi-square or test of independence, logistic regression, odds ratio, analysis of variance, and discriminant analysis. The situation of Latin American Web OPACs is verified in relation to the use of Integrated Library Systems (ILS) and Database Management Systems (DBMS). This methodology is proposed to study the 2.0 functionalities in these catalogs.
Chapter Preview
Top

Evolution Of Opac User Interface

Wilson (2008) stated that Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is oriented towards interfaces designed to improve and facilitate users´ experiences when interacting with computers, both for work and entertainment. Cognitive Sciences may contribute in this aspect. Based on Cognitive Sciences then, HCI challenges mean that a user wishes to perform a task in a given application domain by means of a computing system used as a tool and that, also, wishes to somehow communicate with said system. This dialog must be programmed to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency related both to task performance and to diminish its complexity. Since there are many tasks different users and different domains the tendency towards User Interface for All require HIC models to consider said variations.

In the late 90s, the user interface was graphically represented as bidimensional and controlled through direct manipulation. Further technological advances led to a new type of HCI, the conversational character, with the capacity to communicate by means of different modalities (spoken language, gestures, body language), as opposed to text interfaces which use natural language only. Further research then attempted to integrate emotional and cognitive aspects, to develop speech and dialog rather than syntax (Wilson, 2008).

In this setting, which was the investigators´ idea behind OPAC and the new designs, mainly in the academic scenario with a more significant impact in both scientific and technical development? The answer to this question clearly evidences that partial issues were approached with either palliative or key solutions. Hauer (2006) pointed out that relational systems answered only 60% of the question-based searches.

Complete Chapter List

Search this Book:
Reset