![Page 1: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information
Seekers
Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information
Seekers
Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D.
Senior Research Scientist
Timothy J. Dickey, Ph.D.Post-Doctoral Researcher
OCLC ResearchCharleston ConferenceNovember 4, 2010#chsconf10-connaway
![Page 2: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Towards a Profile of the Researcher of Today: What Can We Learn from JISC Projects?
Towards a Profile of the Researcher of Today: What Can We Learn from JISC Projects?
Digital Information Seekers: Report of findings from selected OCLC, JISC & RIN User Behaviour Projec
Funded by JISC
Analysis of 12 user behaviour studies
• Conducted in US and UK
• Published within last 5 years
• Synthesis
• Better understand user information-seeking behaviour
• Identify issues for development of user-focused services and systems
![Page 3: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
“The majority of researchers in all disciplines have adapted readily to the widespread availability of digital content, accessible directly from their desktops.”
(Consortium of University Research Libraries, and Research Information Network. 2007. Researchers' use of academic libraries and their services: A report. London: Research
Information Network and Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL), p. 23)
Common Findings:User Behaviors
Common Findings:User Behaviors
![Page 4: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Common Findings:User Behaviors
Common Findings:User Behaviors
• Convenience dictates choice between physical & virtual library
• Very little time using content
• “Squirreling” of downloads
• Prefer quick chunks of information
• Visit only a few minutes
• Use basic search
![Page 5: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
• Use snippets from e-books
• View only a few pages
• Short visits
• Simple searching of Google-like interfaces
• Power browsing
• Value human resources
Common Findings:User Behaviors
Common Findings:User Behaviors
![Page 6: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Common Findings:The LibraryCommon Findings:The Library
• = Collections of books
• Desire Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)
• More digital content = Better
• Use for research
• Use less since Internet available
• Value databases & other online sources
![Page 7: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Common Findings:The LibraryCommon Findings:The Library
Electronic databases not perceived as library sources
• Frustration with locating and accessing full-text copies
Criticize physical library & traditional services
• Faculty praise physical collection
![Page 8: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Common Findings:E-journalsCommon Findings:E-journals
• A “critical part“ of contemporary research environment
• Downloads doubled since 2003
• ROI very good
• Downloads correlated to
• Institution’s scholarly record
• Ph.D. awards
• Grant income
![Page 9: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Common Findings:User Literacy SkillsCommon Findings:User Literacy Skills
Information literacy skills
• Lacking
• Not kept pace with digital literacy
Researchers self-taught & confident
![Page 10: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Common Findings:The WebCommon Findings:The Web
Search engine first choice
• Starting point
• Easy and convenient to use
• Quick searches to become familiar with subjects
Rate search engines better lifestyle fit than libraries
Trust Google to understand
![Page 11: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Common Findings:The SearchCommon Findings:The Search
• Search strategies differ by context
• Database interfaces hinder access
• Desire enhanced functionality & content to evaluate resources
• Prefer natural language
![Page 12: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Common Findings:The CatalogCommon Findings:The Catalog
“It is very clear that Google has emerged as a real force in the accessing and discovery of research content which is rivalling university library catalogues.”
(Hampton-Reeves, Stuart, Claire Mashiter, Jonathan Westaway, Peter Lumsden, Helen Day, Helen Hewerston, and Anna Hart. 2009. Students’ use of research content
in teaching and learning: A report of the Joint Information Systems Council (JISC), p. 30)
![Page 13: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Common Findings:The CatalogCommon Findings:The Catalog
• Library OPACs difficult to use
• Do not understand what resources available in libraries
• Cannot distinguish between databases held by a library & other online sources
![Page 14: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Common Findings:The CatalogCommon Findings:The Catalog
Search behaviors vary by discipline
Desire seamless process from D2D
• Sciences most satisfied
• Social Sciences & Arts & Humanities have serious gaps
• Foreign language materials
• Multi-author collections
• Journal back files
• Lack of specialist search engines
![Page 15: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Common Findings:The CatalogCommon Findings:The Catalog
Make results obviously relevant
Catalog should contain helps for navigation & evaluation of sources
“Use weighting in the search algorithm.”
• Expect enhanced content• Provide advanced search
option & facets• Mixed reaction of social
features
(Calhoun, Karen, et al. 2009. Online catalogs: What users and librarians want: An OCLC report. Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, p.
14)
![Page 16: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Common Findings:The CatalogCommon Findings:The Catalog
“Refine down” from large result lists
More full-text digital content
![Page 17: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Access! Access! Access!Access! Access! Access!
“The end user’s experience of the delivery of wanted items is as important, if not more important, than his or her discovery experience.”
Calhoun, Karen, et al. 2009. Online catalogs: What users and librarians want: An OCLC report. Dublin,
Ohio: OCLC p. v.
![Page 18: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Common Findings:MetadataCommon Findings:Metadata
• Inadequately cataloged resources result in underuse
• Library ownership of sources essential data element
• Differences exist between the catalog data quality priorities of users & librarians
![Page 19: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Contradictory FindingsContradictory Findings
• “Google generation”
• Search engine speed
• Support for library OPAC advanced search options & social features
![Page 20: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
ConclusionsConclusions
• Simple searches & power browsing
• “Squirreling” of downloads
• Natural language
• Convenience very important
• Human resources valued
• D2D of full-text digital content desired
• Transparency of ranking results
• Evaluative information included in catalog
• More robust metadata
![Page 21: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Implications for LibrariansImplications for Librarians
• Serve different constituencies
• Adapt to changing user behaviors
• Offer services in multiple formats
• Provide seamless access to digital content
• Create metadata based on user needs
• Advertise resources, brand, & value
![Page 22: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Implications for Library SystemsImplications for Library Systems
Build on & integrate search engine features
Provide search help at time of need
• Chat & IM help during search
Adopt user-centered development approach
![Page 23: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
“Who has the most scientific knowledge of large-scale organization, collection, and access to information? Librarians! A librarian can take a book, put it somewhere, and then guarantee to find it again.”
Peter Bol, Carswell Professor of East Asian Languages & Civilization
(Shaw, Jonathan. 2010. Gutenberg: Harvard’s libraries deal with disruptive change. Harvard Magazine, May-June, p. 36.)
![Page 24: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
What Does This Mean for Libraries?What Does This Mean for Libraries?
• Keep talking
• Keep moving
• Keep the gates open
• Keep it simple
![Page 25: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
NotesNotes
Connaway, L.S., & Dickey, T.J. (2010). Digital information seekers: Report of findings from selected OCLC, RIN, and JISC user behavior projects. http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/publications/reports/2010/digitalinformationseekerreport.pdf
Funded by JISC
Project Web Site URL:
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/publications/reports/2010/digitalinformationseekers.aspx
![Page 26: Bouncing, Squirreling and Other Behaviors of Digital Information Seekers](https://reader036.vdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062404/55497c98b4c90554648b45cc/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
Questions & Comments
Questions & Comments
Lynn Silipigni [email protected]
Timothy J. [email protected]