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Dissertation Information for Paul Solomon

NAME:
- Paul Solomon

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Maryland (USA) (1991)

ADVISORS:
- M. Delia Neuman
- Dagobert Soergel

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Gary Marchionini
- Marilyn Domas White
- William S. Hall
- James Will Liesener

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: Information systems for children: Explorations in information access and interface usability for an online catalog in an elementary school library

Abstract: This research explored the intentions, plans, opening moves, strategies, terminology, and successes and failures of children using an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) in a School Library. To identify user requirements in terms of real system demands, the research focused on two issues of significance in software development: information access and interface usability. Information access issues involved the contributions of such institutions as MARC records and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and their impacts at the OPAC. Interface usability issues involved the contributions of users to the OPAC task: their cognitive resources including language and factual, conditional, and procedural knowledge pertaining to satisfaction of their information needs.

The research employed qualitative methods of observation, document analysis, questioning and, in 12 cases, think-aloud protocols to investigate the OPAC task from initiation of an information need, through the retrieval task, to selection of items and their use. Some 902 transactions involving children in grades one through six were observed over the course of a school year. These observations provided a broad sample of data on many matters including information needs, children's actions to control the OPAC, and change over time.

Analysis of expanded field notes of observations and transcripts of conversations, interviews, and think-aloud protocols was principally through the assignment of coding categories that described children's observed OPAC behavior. Use of coding categories permitted sorting and arrangement of refined and condensed categories in various summary tables. Frequencies of various moves, strategies, breakdowns, etc. were also tabulated to provide a sense of relative prominence of children's actions.

Factors that contributed to OPAC success were the use of concrete search terms and a variety of planned and reactive strategies to overcome OPAC breakdowns. Overall, 66% of the OPAC transactions were successful. In the remaining 34% of the transactions, breakdowns resulted from skill (e.g., reading, spelling, and keyboarding), rule (e.g., syntax, query form, and focus), and knowledge (conditional, procedural, and declarative) difficulties. Other findings related to grade level and time differences along with influences from the school setting. Information system design considerations are suggested as appropriate.

MPACT Scores for Paul Solomon

A = 8
C = 34
A+C = 42
T = 8
G = 1
W = 8
TD = 8
TA = 0
calculated 2012-07-31 11:50:19

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