This is an exploratory study targeting initial users to evaluate the usability of an aggregator-supplied full-text database and to analyze the differences in task performance and perceptions based on participant characteristics. The differences in completion time and perceptions on ease of use, terminology, subject categories and satisfaction were analyzed based on the participant characteristics such as Kolb learning style, gender and participation in user instruction on full-text databases. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference in completion time based on the Kolb learning style. Also a statistically significant difference was found in perceptions on ease of use and terminology based on gender. However no statistically significant difference was found in perceptions on the usability of the database based on the participation in user instruction.
H. Xie and C. Cool, “Ease of use versus user control: An evaluation of Web and non-Web interfaces of online databases," Online Information Review, Vol.24, No.2(2000), pp.102-115.
B. Brunelle, “Quieting the crowd: The clamour for full text," Online & CD-ROM Review, Vol.23(1999), pp.297-302.
C. Tenopir, “Database use in academic libraries," Library Journal, Vol.124, No.8(May 1999), pp.36-38.
C. T. Townley and L. Murray, “User-based criteria for selecting and retaining electronic information: A case study," Information Technology & Libraries, Vol.18(1999), pp.32-39.
J. G. Marshall, “The perceived complexity of database searching among end-users: A multivariate analysis," Canadian Journal of Information Science, Vol.12, No.3/4(1987), pp.89-97.
E. G. Abels, P. Liebscher and D. W. Denman, “Factors that influence the use of electronic networks by science and engineering faculty at small institutions: Part 1. Queries," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Vol.47(1996), pp.146-158.
장혜란, “온라인 데이터베이스 탐색자의 탐색행태에 관한 연구,” 정보관리학회지, 제8권, 제2호(1991), pp.32-73.
김희섭, “서지 데이터베이스에서의 레코드 필드 선택이 검색 성능에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구," 한국문헌정보학회지, 제35권 제4호(2001), pp.97-122.
한상우, 공진현. “웹 학술정보 서비스를 위한 데이터베이스 및 인터페이스 모델링에 관한 연구," 한국정보관리학회 제9회 학술대회 논문집(2002), pp.221-226.
J. D. Brown, “The ERIC database: A comparison of four versions," Reference Services Review, Vol.31 (2003), pp.154-174.
A. Schmetzke, “Accessibility and usability of online library databases," Library hi tech, Vol.23, No.2(2005), pp.265-286.
구연배, “온라인 데이터베이스 이용자와 비이용자의 선행 정보탐색이 이용자 만족도에 미치는 영향," 한국문헌정보학회지, 제41권, 제1호(2007), pp.215-230.
A. Oulanov, “Business administration students’ perception of usability of the business source premier," The electronic library, Vol.26, No.4(2007), pp.505-519.
J. G. Marshall and S. Allan, “Training and assistance techniques for database users," Canadian Journal of Information Science, Vol.15, No.2(1990), pp.38-51.
C. T. Townley, and L. Murray, “User-based criteria for selecting and retaining electronic information: A case study," Information Technology & Libraries, Vol.18(1999), pp.32-39.
H. Mercado, “Library instruction and online database searching," Reference Services Review, Vol.27(1999), pp.259-265.
S. DeMinco, “Student responses to using a computerized database," Reference Librarian, Vol.75/76(2002), pp.291-304.
D. DiMartino and L. R. Zoe, “End-user full-text searching: Access or excess?" Library & Information Science Research, Vol.18(1996), pp.133-149.
J. G. Marshall, “End-user training: Does it make a difference?" Medical Reference Services Quarterly, Vol.8, No.3(1989), pp.15-26.
Y. S. Lincoln and E. G. Guba, Naturalistic Inquiry(Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, 1985).
A. Gnisci, F. Papa, and S. Spedaletti, “Usability aspects, socio-relational context and learning performance in the virtual classroom: A laboratory experiment," Behaviour & Information Technology, Vol.18, No.6(1999), pp.431-443.
J. A. Kim, “Toward an understanding of Web-based subscription database acceptance," Journal of the American society for information science and technology, Vol.57, No.13(2006), pp.1715-1728.
A. Koohang and J. Ondracek, “Users’ views about the usability of digital libraries," British Journal of educational technology, Vol.36, No.3(2005), pp.407-423.
C. Tenopir et al., “Academic users’ interactions with ScienceDirect in search tasks: Affective and cognitive behaviors," Information processing and management, Vol.44(2008), pp.105-121.
D. A. Kolb, Learning style inventory: Technical manual(Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1976).
J. Rubin, Handbook of usability testing: How to plan, design, and conduct effective tests(New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1994).
ISO/IEC 9126. Software product evaluation: Quality characteristics and guidelines for their use(Geneva, Switzerland: ISO, 1991).
J. Y. Thong et al., “What leads to user acceptance of digital libraries," Communications of the ACM, Vol.47, No.11(2004), pp.79-83.
M. N. Uddin and P. Janecek, “Performance and usability testing of multidimensional taxonomy in web site search and navigation," Performance measurement and metrics, Vol.8, No.1(2007), pp.18-33.
ISO 9241-11. Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals(VDTs): Part II Guidance on usability(Geneva, Switzerland : ISO, 1998).
J. Nielsen, Usability Engineering(San Francisco : Morgan Kaufmann, 1994).
G. S. Lowe and H. Krahn, “Computer skills and use among high school and university graduates," Canadian Public Policy, Vol.15, No.2(1989), pp.175-188.
K. A. Frankel, “Women and computing," Communications of the ACM, Vol.33, No.11(1990), pp.34-45.
A. B. Enochsson, “A gender perspective on Internet use: Consequences for information seeking on the net," Information Research, Vol.10, No.4(2005), p.237.
D. Gefen and D. Straub, “Gender difference in the perception and use of e-mail: An extension to the technology acceptance model," MIS Quarterly, Vol.21, No.4(1997), pp.389-400.