The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of WebOPAC Self Training Tool with Guided Exploration (WSTTG), WebOPAC Self Training Tool with non-guided exploration (WSTT) and Traditional (T) groups as the learning strategies on information literacy (IL) skills standards among first year degree students in Malaysian public university. The…

Qualitative analysis of reflective essays by first-year students in an academic skills course documented outcomes related to the Association of College and Research Libraries Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. Student narratives showed how novices encounter the clusters of concepts described in the Framework as…

A microcomputer-based user interface was developed and programmed for the library computer systems at the University of Illinois. Designed to provide user-friendly access to the two components of the online catalog on the library's IBM 3081 mainframe computer, the interface program resides on the IBM PC and queries the user in natural written…

Discussion of keyword and Boolean searching techniques in online public access catalogs (OPACs) focuses on a study conducted at Indiana State University that examined users' attitudes toward searching on NOTIS (Northwestern Online Total Integrated System). Relevant literature is reviewed, and implications for library instruction are suggested. (17…

Describes OASIS, a prototype adaptive online catalog implemented as a front end to the University of California MELVYL catalog. Topics addressed include the concept of adaptive retrieval systems, strategic search commands, feedback, prototyping using a front-end, the problem of excessive retrieval, commands to limit or increase search results, and…

Discusses a survey undertaken in 1992 to gauge general user response to the online catalog used at a large state university library. A description of the library and its automated system (based on Geac/ADVANCE integrated software), the study methodology, and results are covered. A copy of the two-page survey is appended. (Contains five…

This report describes the work of the Onscreen Documentation Subgroup in revising screens for GALIN, the University of Georgia (UGA) Libraries new online system. The responsibilities of the Subgroup were to revise screens from the previous online catalog and to create basic help screens, primarily for the command searching mode. Responsibilities…

This document provides a description of library staff training for keyword/Boolean searching on the library's online catalog, LUIS (Library User Information System), at Indiana State University. A narrative overview describes the circumstances, conditions, and organization of training sessions. Also included are a content outline of the…

Describes the use of transaction log analysis of the online catalog at the University of Nevada, Reno, libraries to help evaluate reasons for unsuccessful user searches. Author, title, and subject searches are examined; problems with Library of Congress subject headings are discussed; and title keyword searching is suggested. (11 references) (LRW)

Describes an experiment conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago that was designed to determine whether adding a substantial number of subject headings would raise circulation rates. The effects of added contents notes, keyword searching, browsing, and displays on the online catalog are examined, and further research is suggested. (27…

Describes a study that electronically monitored 11 public access terminals at the University of Colorado libraries to produce transaction logs that were used to gather statistics and analyze users' behavior when searching online catalogs. Implications for search instruction and systems design are suggested. (Contains 13 references.) (LRW)

Describes a study that was conducted to determine whether the searching behavior of remote users of LIAS (Library Information Access System), Pennsylvania State University's online public access catalog (OPAC), differed from those using the OPAC within the library. Differences in search strategies and in user satisfaction are discussed. (eight…

A study of users' keyword searching success and knowledge using the NOTIS online catalog at Indiana State University revealed a low rate of knowledge about keyword searching. Frequency of catalog use, previous online database searching or computer coursework, and library instruction were found to correlate well with search success and keyword…

Reports on a transaction log study of the online catalog at North Carolina State University-Raleigh that was conducted to determine users' searching behavior and the problems they experienced. Failure rates for various searches are examined, usage patterns are described, and results are compared with data from earlier studies. (seven references)…

Describes a study that was conducted at Tilburg University (The Netherlands) to test the impact of system and domain knowledge on search behavior in an online catalog. Highlights include time spent on task; the number of search patterns performed; and search patterns used most frequently. (11 references) (LRW)