Our SerialsSolutions Multi-Database Search is now up and we need to do some testing on it. Please use the link below to access it, play around with it and test it out. Try to look at it from the pespectives of students and faculty - here are some specifics I could think of to keep in mind.
Be aware that there are definite limits to what can be changed - we can change most any label or heading or help text or subject list of databases, but the basic structure beyond what we looked at in the original search options document (attached below) most likely can't be adjusted too much - but please include all suggestions - those we can't make at present, we can keep a running list of for possible future enhancements:
- navigation - easy to use?
- defaults: do they make sense?
- terminology/labels: what is unclear or too jargony?
- help text: what, when and where might we put it?
- does it make sense to list those database links that don't offer a connection within appropriate subject lists - those that don't have a check box next to them (example: in Books - netlibrary or perhaps we might add to Law, Westlaw Campus?)
- does it make sense to create a splash page before directing users to the interface, with a brief explanation of functions as well as a link to a more in-depth tutorial?
- how might we best integrate this into our web site? We can embed a search box onto any web site, including our library home page (note: I've attached my draft for home page redesign from a few months ago here: - this by default would search the "Multidisciplinary" subject topic).
Link to Multi-Database Search:
http://library.esc.edu/login?url=http://wk4ky4tk9h.cs.serialssolutions.com
4 comments:
Just a few initial comments, based on playing with this for 10 minutes or so.
1) Would like to suggest that we move the multidisciplinary box to the top of the list and indicate that this is the default. When I got to the page I didn't read any of the directions and tried to do a search without selecting a category. 2) Also suggest that we move the All option to the bottom and add a note, if possible, to say that using this will result in a very slow search. 3) Maybe should include in instructions something that indicates the more options you select, the slower your results will display. sh
· navigation - fantastic
· defaults – Suzanne has great ideas on search defaults
· terminology/labels - Can we be consistent with the term journals in the cluster and source in the sort? I vote for source in both places.
· help text/splash page/tutorial ideas - In regards to the splash page, I don’t think we should make users go to a page to get to the search interface. I think we should have a link from the Multi-Database Search interface, at the top, where the following text resides:
Welcome to the Multi-Database Search. Use the boxes below to search multiple research databases at the same time. Learn More.…or make the help on the right more prominent (that link goes to a 360 Search Help page).
· list database links that don't offer a connection – don’t list but put in splash page/tutorial
· embed – on home page; default - multidisciplinary
Other splash page/tutorial ideas:
I think that when a user clicks a title link of a result that doesn’t have full text and it takes them to the vendor site, they’ll be confused. Can we have something in the splash page/tutorial that shows them what they should be doing in these situations?
Summary is overwhelming (even though that disappears once search complete). Note should be made regarding load time and option to stop search (maybe on splash page/tutorial).
Other thoughts/comments:
Clustering is great.
Love the export feature. Works well.
Show/hide abstract is a nice feature.
Not sure source is useful to student, however, I prefer that show for my purposes.
Search tips link should go to /findkeywords
In advanced search can the year limiter option be a range as opposed to one specific year?
When you do put in a range this is the error you get:
There was an error in the syntax of your search query: date contains 1997-1999
Please specify a year value in the range 1400 - 2008.
When using the date cluster, 2000 and later is confusing. It sounds like older not newer.
Why would EBSCO fall after xrefer in a source sort?
My comments:
1. I agree - we should move Select All to bottom and move Multidisciplinary to top and make it the default selection
2. I will ask SerialsSolutions if date range capability is an option and if so, activate it and provide some more meaningful help text there. If not, I'll adjust the existing default text next to the field to say: (Single year only, format: yyyy)
3. Suggest putting a couple brief and basic search amples in small text immediately below the basic search box, similar to what is to the right of the search in the Book Catalog
4. We will need to create a Quick Start tutorial for this - I'd suggest we keep it brief, basic and printable, like our existing Quick Start Guides - we can then link to that tutorial from the text just below the nav bar and use the "Search Tips link to go directly to a section in the tutorial on search tips.
5. If possible, the lsst Credo and Oxford subset subject databases in "Search by Database" should indent so that it's clear they are subsets of the main entries for those databases. And so when someone selects the mian Credo Reference database, the others will be automatically selected so it's clear that the main entry includes all these.
6. As you guys suggest, we should expand text in green shaded box just below nav bar to mention about increased slowness if more dbs selected and perhaps also (if we can keep it brief enough), about how going to full-text opens a new browser window.
7. Items I've hopefully already corrected (but won't show up until tomorrow): updated xrefer database name to: Credo Reference (xrefer) and removed World Cultures Today from list since this has been consoldated into Daily Life Online.
8. Ian - on your comment about source vs. journal - we should rename the Journals tab to say Source as you suggest since the list may include book publishers, and other non-jourbnal items.
9. Date Cluster: 2000 and later - how about change to "2000 and newer"(?)
1) I agree about switching Select All and Multidisciplinary, but I think help text would be useful next to Multidisciplinary to explain why it's the default (e.g. searches broadest databases across a variety of disciplines)...I'm not sure students would make the distinction.
2)I agree that a splash page/tutorial should appear as a link from the search page rather than the reverse. Once users are better accustomed to using it, they'll resent the additional page load, esp if using dial-up.
3) A QuickStart tutorial is a great idea, too, since the 360 Search help page is extremely jargon-y.
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