Citation:
Dixon, L. (2010).Finding articles and journals via Google Scholar, Journal Portals, and Link Resolvers: Usability study results. Reference and User Services Quarterly. 50, 2. p. 170 (12). Retrieved July 8, 2011 from Gale Cengage Learning
Abstract
Information retrieval is considered as one of the most important processes in doing research. It will determine where the research is leading and set the platform of the research being conducted. Dixon, L. et al. (2010) made a study on the challenges and development of different modern information retrieval system such as library webpage, finding full-text articles e.g. Journal Portals and Link Resolver and search engines such as Google Scholar. Aside from navigating the user interface and finding articles, the respondents were also asked about the usability of the web interfaces and had two related tasks in citation.
The study revealed that even though the respondents are familiar with the user interface of those information retrieval system, it is important to consider how each one operates when trying to find articles by using journal titles or by citation. They also found out that the respondents had a hard time and even skipped some of the tasks when they were not successful in finding articles. The respondents also got incorrect answers on questions on finding specific articles or journals using title. Lastly, they were able to identify that Google Scholar is one of the best tools, among the information retrieval used in the study, in retrieving information while library webpages and other library-supported tools should be user-friendly and effective so that students will have their reasons to begin their searches there.
3 Things I Learned
1. Information retrieval would only be effective if students will be guided and taught properly on the correct and appropriate use of different information retrieval system, particularly those that they utilized in libraries.
2. Improving and customizing the user interface of library tools in information retrieval will increase the potential of success in research and will save the time of the students.
3. Librarians need to be open-minded in the probable use of commercial tools like Google Scholar in finding information provided that they should be able to develop high level skill in information retrieval among their students.
Application
I will navigate and study myself the pros and cons of using commercial tools in information retrieval such as Google Scholar and Yahoo before recommending it to others as a good option in researching since most of us use the two as our resources in retrieving information. Dogpile and Metacrawler are also among the list.
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