Decoding Virtual Reference: Using Chat Transcripts to Guide Usability Testing and Improve Web Design
Date of Award
2017
Degree Name
MLIS
Organizational Unit
Morgridge College of Education, Library and Information Science
First Advisor
Shimelis G. Assefa, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Carrie L. Forbes, MLS
Keywords
Library science, User experience, Chat reference, Usability, Libraries
Abstract
This paper seeks to support user-centered library website design by exploring a low-effort strategy for identifying patron needs and the natural language used to describe them. The literature review cross-references library literature on chat reference with broader studies on website navigation and cognitive modeling, and briefly reviews other studies that have used chat transcript analysis as a usability tool. Word count analysis of two terms of chat reference transcripts showed several trends in patron language, particularly highlighting the benefits of usage-based navigational design. Recommendations for further usability testing are offered, as is an analysis of the method as a starting point for busy libraries.
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Wimer, Kate E., "Decoding Virtual Reference: Using Chat Transcripts to Guide Usability Testing and Improve Web Design" (2017). Library and Information Science: Capstone Projects. 3.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/lis_capstone/3