The 3 bears – not too big, not too small, just right or How search access logs can be used to improve success rates for searchers
VALA2002 CONCURRENT SESSION 6: e-research
Wednesday 6 February 2002, 14:00 – 14:30
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2002-proceedings/vala2002-session-6-beaumont
Anne Beaumont
State Library of Victoria
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Abstract
Using search-tracking logs, including comparing logs over time and between systems can provide information about how members of the public really search catalogues and databases. The logs are non-intrusive, and do not rely on anyone’s memory, so provide an accurate picture of what is done and in what order, but they cannot unambiguously identify ‘success’. However by examining trends and differences it is possible to establish some hypotheses, which can be tested by making changes and again observing the logs. This paper reviews some of the ways search-tracking logs have been used to make changes in a newly implemented Collection Management system at the State Library of Victoria.
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