TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose– Usability studies are a form of library evaluation that are often passed off as research. However, at its core, usability is an evaluation method, not a research method. The goal is to make an argument that usability studies can be a valid form of scholarly research if certain limitations inherent in usability studies are addressed in the research design. Design/methodology/approach– Through evaluating literature in the social sciences, this paper makes an argument for usability as a research method if certain limitations inherent within usability testing are addressed. Findings– Usability is not only an evaluation method, but when limitations are addressed; it can be considered an important research tool within libraries. Originality/value– No other article in the library and information sciences literature talks about methodologies for usability. Most usability articles do not address methodologies utilized in a way that would be considered research in a broader social sciences context. This article bridges the gap from when usability is considered evaluation to when it is considered research within library science.
VL  - 29
IS  - 4
SN  - 1065-075X
DO  - 10.1108/OCLC-02-2013-0009
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/OCLC-02-2013-0009
AU  - Emanuel Jennifer
PY  - 2013
Y1  - 2013/01/01
TI  - Usability testing in libraries: methods, limitations, and implications
T2  - OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 204
EP  - 217
Y2  - 2024/05/09
ER  -