Determining the usability of ebooks using the think-aloud method
Date
2009
Authors
Berg, Selinda Adelle
Dawson, Diane (DeDe)
Hoffmann, Kristin
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Abstract
The widespread acceptance and enthusiasm for eJournals in recent years has led to an increased interest in developing eBook collections in academic libraries. It is generally assumed that eBooks provide the same level of convenience and usability to patrons as eJournals have. This qualitative research study examined the usability of eBooks by observing the strategies of undergraduate science students while they performed information retrieval tasks in print books and eBooks.
Description
Selinda Adelle Berg, Clinical Medicine Librarian, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, sberg@uwindsor.ca; Kristin Hoffmann, Head, Research & Instructional Services, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, khoffma8@uwo.ca; Diane Dawson, Natural Sciences Liaison Librarian, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, diane.dawson@usask.ca
Keywords
ebooks, think aloud method, electronic books, information seeking behaviour, undergraduate science students, usability, print books