Human Information Interaction

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Background and Aim: The present investigation intends to compare and review various user interfaces from user standpoint and to ascertain its linkage with user satisfaction.

Method: The research incorporated a descriptive survey of University of Tehran graduate student body. Using a targeted sampling, graduate students from the faculties of chemistry and Biology were selected. The instruments used were: A researcher-constructed questionnaire based on Nielsen’s 10 component model; and QUIS user satisfaction questionnaire.  Each database UI were evaluated based on five indicators of general features, search features, retrieval features, display features and user-friendliness.

Results: Findings indicated that with an average of 3.88 the Elsevier database had the highest score. Users surveyed believed that the quality of user interface was in better shape than other UI. One should note that this advantage is not indicative of overall database quality and the relatively better interaction on the part of users could be ascribed to their familiarity with the said database and its resource location process.

Conclusion:  The main purpose of designing and developing a database is to accruing user satisfaction in search and retrieval process. Hence User satisfaction directly connected to user interface

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Background and Aim: Information seeking is interactive behavior of searcher with information systems and this active interaction occurs in a real environment known as background or context. This study investigated the factors influencing the formation of layers of context and their impact on the interaction of the user with search option dialoge in EBSCO database. Method: Data from 28 semi-structured interviews with graduate students and medical information librarians were collected and coded whith open, axial and selective methods using grounded theory approach. Results: Identified general catagories and central ideas ​​in this study include: features’ search, facility to display data: availability and usability of results, general features (personality and character) of the user, presenting unique features (offering more options in database pages). Conclusion: This research in line with previous ones and with regard to the underlying dimensions of context (place, person, or object), investigaed the need to understand factors for improvement of user’s interaction with the Web search. All dimensions of the user interactions with visual search option require understanding the context’s underlying factors. Identification of contextual factors affecting visual search improves users’ search strategy approaches.