Children’s Interaction with Online Catalogs: Analysis of Important Features and Elements of the Interface

Document Type : Research َ Article

Authors

1 MA Student, Knowledge and Information Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

2 Professor, Knowledge and Information Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

3 Assistant Professor, Knowledge and Information Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

Purpose: To identify important elements in designing children’s online catalog regarding their characteristics and to design and develop an online catalog prototype based on identified elements and study children’s behavior while working with it.
Methodology: Mixed methodology using interview, think aloud, search files and log files to gather data from children while interacting with the self-designed prototype.
Results: Features such as proper use of icons, color and page segmentation (sort of elements) help in better usage of the catalog. Also, children often use subject browsing to find books in online catalog. This study offers a list of features and elements for designing children online catalog.
Conclusion: Children show reactive behavior when using the catalog and this should be considered in designing.

Keywords

Main Subjects


اعظمی، محمد (1390). ارزیابی و تحلیل محیط رابط پایگاه‌های اطلاعاتی در پشتیبانی از الگوی رفتار اطلاع جویی کاربران از دیدگاه نظریه معنابخشی. پایان‌نامه دکتری، دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد، مشهد.
حسن‌پور موینی، زهره (1387). بررسی ویژگی‌های رابط کاربر کتابخانه دیجیتال بین‌المللی کودکان از دیدگاه کاربران و ارائه الگوی پیشنهادی. پایان‌نامه کارشناسی ارشد، دانشگاه الزهرا، تهران.
صدیقی، ‌زینب؛ گیلوری، عباس، و نوشین‌فرد، فاطمه (1389). رابط کاربر در کتابخانه‌های دیجیتالی کودکان: ارزیابی رابط کاربر مهم‌ترین کتابخانه‌های دیجیتال کودکان در جهان. اطلاع‌شناسی، 7 (27)، 117-147.
صدیقی، ‌زینب؛ گیلوری، عباس، و نوشین‌فرد، فاطمه (1390). رابط کاربر در کتابخانه‌های دیجیتال کودکان ایران: دیدگاه متخصصان و ارائه الگوی پیشنهادی. نظام‌ها و خدمات اطلاعاتی، 1 (1)، 53-72.
کوکبی، مرتضی؛ ندا زراعتکار(1389). رابط‌های کاربر در کتابخانه‌های دیجیتالی کودکان: پیشنهاد الگویی بهینه برای کودکان ایرانی. فصلنامه کتاب،‌ ۲۲ (۱)، 70-83.
Borgman, C. (1986). Why are online catalogs hard to use? Lessons learned from information-retrieval studies. Retrieved October 3, 2016, from https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/mux/www/sois110/details/materils/borgman.pdf
Borgman, C. (1991). The science library catalog project: Comparison of children's searching behavior in a direct manipulation and a keyword search system. Proceedings of the 54th American Society for Information Science Annual Meeting, October 27-31, (pp. 162-169). Washington, D.C.
Borgman, C., Hirsh, S., Walter, V., & Gallagher, A. (1995). Children’s searching behavior on browsing and keyword online catalogs: the science library catalog project. Journal Of The American Society For Information Science. 46 (9),663-684. Retrieved November 3, 2015, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=639281311&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1278542744&clientId=61590
Busey, P. & Doerr, T. (1993). Kid’s Catalog: An information retrieval system for children. Youth Services in Libraries, Fall, 77-84.
Cooper, L. (2002). A case study of information-seeking behavior in 7-year-old children in a semistructured situation. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 53(11), 904-922.
Creel, S. (2007). Are online catalogs for children giving them what they need? Children's cognitive development and information seeking and their impact on design Retrieved November 4, 2015, from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=1436370111&SrchMode=1&sid=1&Fmt=6&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1278937451&clientId=61590
Druin, A. (2009). The role of children in the design of new technology. Behaviour & Information Technology, 21(1), 1-25.
Everhart, N., & Hatcher, A. (2005). How relevant are standardized subject headings to school curricula?. Knowledge Quest, 33 (4), 37-39.
Hirsh, S. (1997). How do children find information on different types of tasks? Children’s use of The Science Library Catalog. Library Trends, 45(4), 725-746.
Hooten, P. (1989). Online catalogs: Will they improve children’s access?. Journal of Youth Services in Libraries, 2 (3), 267-72.Retrieved November 4, 2015, from:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ395492&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=EJ395492
Schacter, J., Chung, G., & Dorr, A. (1998). Children’s internet searching on complex problems: Performance and process analysis. Retrieved November 4, 2015, From http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-in/fulltext/28129/PDFSTART
Solomon, P. (1993). Children’s information retrieval behavior: a case analysis of an OPAC. Retrieved November 10, 2015, from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/10049869/PDFSTART
Yan, Z. (2005). Age differences in children’s understanding of the complexity of the Internet. Applied Developmental Psychology, 26 (4), 385-396.
CAPTCHA Image