Search results

Recent advancement in technological development has encouraged distance learning institutions to be more productive and creative in effectively utilizing the Learning Management System (LMS). Among the many measures employed is the integration of federated search engine into the LMS which allows for a more productive and wider scope of information retrieval through the provisions of library resources and services. The purpose of this paper is to report one such case study in Wawasan Open University exploring the integration of federated search engine (EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) widget) into the learning spaces of LMS. Widgets resemble apps that enable the integration of EDS functionality in providing access for students to retrieve library learning resources from the convenience of the LMS, excluding the need to log onto the library.

This paper presents a discussion that highlights the development and conjectural implementation of a framework on the integration of the EDS widget into the University’s LMS. Data collection includes meta-analysis data from the micro- and macro-level infrastructure that make up the framework, namely, end-user layer, system layer and data management layer.

Findings from this study addressed significant importance to the library in promoting effective search and utilization of information needs. The findings will also make clear recommendations in developing effective collaborations between the library and faculties. Although the implementation of this framework is still in a developmental stage, this study still provides pertinent information in validating the integration of EDS into the University’s LMS.

While serious limitations are not anticipated, possible concerns do exist with programming algorithms in the integration of EDS into the LMS. These challenges will be reported in the paper as reference for future replications of study

One key implication is the increase in the usage of the library resources and the potential to reach a larger audience of remote library users.

The primary advantage is to minimize the need for multiple gateway login while ensuring the library to monitor relevant library databases activities throughout the system check of the LMS.

The purpose of this paper is to look at some of the broader design and management issues that occur during the implementation of a federated search tool in a modern academic library, and tries to tease out some of the background concepts that librarians should consider.

An overview of the main advantages and disadvantages of federated search tools in comparison with existing library tools and internet search engines such as Google.

A successful implementation of a federated search engine was found to depend on a radical approach which subordinates other existing library search tools to the new one‐stop search engine. This new search interface must in turn be designed for simplicity, and not to mimic existing, overly complex library information retrieval devices.

The emphasis is on the softer, general aspects of managing search tool implementation, rather than the hard, technical side. So, this paper may be best read in tandem with a specific description of a search tool implementation, which describes some of the technical “back office” aspects of federated search. Research developments in these technical areas may well soon lead to the elimination of some of the negative aspects which this paper presents to the non‐technical library manager simply as a “given”.

This paper outlines many of the practical challenges in search tool implementation which librarians might otherwise not anticipate.

The approach in this investigation is to present the broader implications of search tool implementation in a way that is stripped of technical complexity, in order to show the larger management issues as clearly as possible.

This paper aims to examine the behaviour of the Egyptian scholars while accessing electronic resources through two federated search tools. The main purpose of this article is to provide guidance for federated search tool technicians and support teams about user issues, including the need for training.

Log files were exploited to examine the behaviour of users of information retrieval systems. This study examined two log files extracted from federated search tools available to the Egyptian scholars' community for accessing electronic resources. A data mining approach was implemented to investigate user behaviour through deep analysis of these logs.

Results show that: none of the available tools provide error messages for dummy queries; most of the Egyptian scholars had short queries; Boolean operators are not used in about 50 per cent of the queries; federated search tools do not provide techniques for query reformation; the optimal days for system maintenance are the non‐weekend vacations; and early morning is the best time for maintenance.

To maximise the value of the federated search tools by understanding user trends when utilising federated search tools. The study shows that more attention should be given to the search capabilities through ongoing training and awareness in order to maximise the benefit from the available resources and tools.

The hypothetical value of the federated search tools has not been previously examined and analysed to understand user trends.

The purpose of this paper is to present how, in May 2008, the Ad Hoc Committee on Federated Search was formed to prepare a preliminary report on federated searching for a special meeting of Librarians Academic Council at Memorial University Libraries. The primary purpose is to discuss current implementation of federated searching at this institution, explore what other institutions have done, examine federated search technologies, and offer recommendations for the future of this resource.

Information was drawn from a recent usability study, an informal survey was created, and a literature/technology review was conducted.

These four recommendations were proposed and unanimously accepted: actively develop the current federated search implementation by developing a web presence supporting “federated search in context”, re‐evaluating the need for consortial purchase of a federated search tool, continuing to assess the current federated search marketplace with an eye to choosing a next‐generation federated search tool that includes effective de‐duping, sorting, relevancy, clustering and faceting, and that the selection, testing, and implementation of such a tool should involve broad participation from the Memorial University Libraries system.

Provided is an inside look at one institution's experience with implementing a federated search tool. The paper should be of interest to anyone working in academic libraries, particularly the areas of administration, public services, and systems.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the work of the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) in the US Department of Energy Office of Science and OSTI's development of the powerful search engine, WorldWideScience.org. With tools such as Science.gov and WorldWideScience.org, the patron gains access to multiple, geographically dispersed deep web databases and can search all of the constituent sources with a single query.

The paper is both historical and descriptive.

That WorldWideScience.org fills a unique niche in discovering scientific material in an information landscape that includes search engines such as Google and Google Scholar.

This is one of the few papers to describe in depth the important work being done by the US Office of Scientific and Technical Information in the field of search and discovery.

The purpose of this paper is to compare the efficacy of two approaches to finding articles on a topic by measuring student perceptions of the ease‐of‐use of the search process and the perceived relevancy of search results retrieved using both a single multidisciplinary database and a federated search tool.

Students are asked to search both a federated search tool and a single multidisciplinary database, record their searches and respond to a series of quantitative and qualitative questions regarding their experiences with searching both search tools.

Study results indicate a slight preference for federated searching over single database searching based on perceived relevancy of results and likeliness of future use. Study data supports equal promotion of single database searching and federated searching to undergraduate students.

The results of this paper have practical implications for reference and instruction librarians teaching undergraduate students and library users in general to find the most effective, efficient and manageable approach to finding articles on a topic.

Previous research comparing federated searching to other research methods uses prescribed topics outside of an actual class setting, while this is a naturalistic study in which students searched for articles on a research topic of their own choosing for a required research assignment. A previous study compared federated searching to navigating and searching numerous databases. This paper compares a federated search tool to a single multidisciplinary database.

Seeks to describe library federated search engines MetaLib and WebFeat as research tools by comparing MetaLib with WebFeat and by highlighting their strengths and weaknesses against Google and Google Scholar.

This study tested MetaLib and WebFeat from various libraries; attended vendor demos and asked vendors questions; reviewed literature; and interviewed system administrators of MetaLib and WebFeat.

MetaLib and WebFeat have fundamental differences between them. They cannot compete with Google in speed, simplicity, ease of use, and convenience, nor can they be truly one‐stop shopping. Their strengths lie in the contents they search as well as in the objective way they retrieve and display results. With the federated search engines, information literacy education is still relevant.

The comprehensive comparisons of MetaLib and WebFeat from the perspectives of both users and system administrators are original. It helps libraries make decisions when they select federated search engines, and it gives libraries realistic expectations of federated search engines compared with Google.

The purpose of this paper is to form one of a series which will give an overview of so‐called “transformational” areas of digital library technology. The aim will be to assess how much real transformation these applications are bringing about, in terms of creating genuine user benefit and also changing everyday library practice.

An overview of the present state of development of the one‐stop shop library search engine, with particular reference to its relationship with the underlying bibliographic databases to which it provides a simplified single interface.

The paper finds that the success of federated searching has proved valuable but limited to date in creating a one‐stop shop search engine to rival Google Scholar; but the persistent value of the bibliographic databases sitting underneath a federated search system means that a harvesting search engine could well answer the need for a true one‐stop search engine for academic and scholarly information.

This paper is based on the hypothesis that Google's success in providing such an apparently high degree of access to electronic journal services is not what it seems, and that it does not render library discovery tools obsolete. It argues that Google has not diminished the pre‐eminent role of library bibliographic databases in mediating access to e‐journal text, although this hypothesis needs further research to validate or disprove it.

The paper affirms the value of bibliographic databases to practitioner librarians and the potential of single interface discovery tools in library practice.

The paper uses statistics from US LIS sources to shed light on UK discovery tool issues.

This paper aims to shed light on federated search engine solutions by documenting how Westminster College implemented a new system after a failed attempt.

The librarians became interested in a new federated search solution after a previous vendor was unable to provide a satisfactory product. After seeing demonstrations from several vendors, the librarians decided on WebFeat. This paper chronicles that decision and its implementation, which surprisingly took less than three months.

The librarians found WebFeat to be a superior product in comparison with the first federated search engine. WebFeat made an immediate impact on how the students and faculty searched for information. The seamless integration into the library web page made it easier for users to search databases and the library catalog without confusion and frustration.

The value of this paper comes from the fact that the library became a “federated search casualty” after adopting a system in 2003 that did not live up to expectation and eventually had to be terminated. WebFeat was the next choice, and it has performed above expectations. The librarians witnessed the failure of one federated search engine solution and the success of another over the past three years.

This study aims to explore a framework for evaluating and comparing two federated search tools (FSTs) using two different retrieval protocols: XML gateways and Z39.50. FSTs are meta-information retrieval systems developed to facilitate the searching of multiple resources through a single search box. FSTs allow searching of heterogeneous platforms, such as bibliographic and full-text databases, online public access catalogues, web search engines and open-access resources.

The proposed framework consists of three phases: the usability testing, retrievability performance assessment and overall comparison. The think-aloud protocol was implemented for usability testing and FSTs retrieval consistency, and precision tests were carried out to assess the retrievability performance for 20 real user queries.

Participants were directed to assign weights for the interface usability and system retrievability importance as indicators for FST evaluation. Results indicated that FSTs retrievability performance was of more importance than the interface usability. Participants assigned an average weight of 62 per cent for the system retrievability and 38 per cent for interface usability. In terms of the usability test, there was no significant difference between the two FSTs, while minor differences were found regarding retrieval consistency and precision at 11-point cut-off recall. The overall evaluation showed that the FST based on the XML gateway rated slightly higher than the FST based on the Z39.50 protocol.

This empirical study faced several limitations. First, the lack of participants’ familiarity with usability testing created the need for a deep awareness and rigorous supervision. Second, the difficulties of empirically assessing participants’ perspectives and future attitudes called for mixing between a formal task and the think-aloud protocol for participants in a real environment. This has been a challenge that faced the collection of the usability data including user behaviour, expectations and other empirical data. Third, the differences between the two FSTs in terms of number of connectors and advanced search techniques required setting rigorous procedures for testing FSTs retrieval consistency and precision.

This paper has practical implications in two dimensions. First, its results could be utilized by FST developers to enhance their product’s performance. Second, the framework could be used by librarians to evaluate FSTs performance and capabilities. The framework enables them to compare between library systems in general and FSTs in particular. In addition to these practical implications, the authors encourage researchers to use and enhance the proposed framework.

Librarians can use the proposed framework to empirically select an FST, involving users in the selection procedures of these information retrieval systems, so that it accords with users’ perspectives and attitudes and serves the community better.

The proposed framework could be considered a benchmark for FST evaluation.