Too quick? Log analysis of Quick Links from an academic library website

Abstract

Purpose

To study the use of “Quick Links”, a common navigational element, in the context of an academic library website.

Design/methodology/approach

Transaction log files and web server logs are analyzed over a four‐year period to detect patterns in Quick Link usage.

Findings

Provides information about what Quick Links have been used over time, as well as the relationship of Quick Link usage to the rest of the library website. Finds generally that Quick Link usage is prevalent, tilted toward a few of the choices, and is drawn largely from the library homepage as referral source.

Research limitations/implications

Log analysis does not include IP referral data, which limits the ability to determine different patterns of use by specific locations including services desks, off‐campus, and in‐house library usage.

Practical implications

This paper is useful for website usability in terms of design decisions and log analysis.

Originality/value

This paper targets a specific website usability issue over time.

Citation

Ghaphery, J. (2005), "Too quick? Log analysis of Quick Links from an academic library website", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 21 No. 3, pp. 148-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750510612353