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On A Clear Day, Can You Visual Search Forever?
January 25, 2008
Last weekend I was reviewing an EBSCO database (SocINDEX with Full Text, look for the review in the March 1st 2008 Library Journal) and I finally tried a Visual Search in the system, for “librarians and human rights.” This is what happened:
The search gave me 7 results, which I displayed in both block and column formats. That was about as far as I went with Visual Search, since the blocks and columns confused and annoyed me. I’m not yet a fan of mind maps for searching, but that’s me.
Okay, so this shows that I have the patience of a gnat when it comes to viewing search results. But it also prompted me to wonder why EBSCO devised a Visual Search for their system in the first place. So I asked my EBSCO contact, and she tells me:
“The main goals of Visual Search 1.0 were to allow users to explore search results and understand their relationships without forcing them to read every result; to go beyond the first ten results; and to add an interactive and fun element to the search experience. A desire for technical control within EBSCO Publishing spawned the Visual Search 2.0 initiative. Seeking to add a unique creative element to the process, we elected to work with one of the top Flash design and development companies, a company that has a strong reputation of building interactive online video games and web applications for some of the most popular online entertainment web sites. Two concept prototypes were explored with the intent of building one visual search system that took the best features of each concept. However, testing both designs revealed that distinct user groups had different preferences. Blocks was favored by some for being fun, interactive and more "game" like with its drag and drop actions, exploding block effects, and zooming controls. The Columns interface was favored by others for its elegant navigation, easy to understand features, and visible search path. So to offer the best solution for our diverse customer base, we decided to offer both.”
Thus the blocks and columns. I asked if they have any demographic information on who among their users likes and uses Visual Search, and the reply was:
“We don't have any specific demographic data on current users, however, the reason we ended up doing two designs is because people of various ages, education, gaming habits, tech savvy, web savvy, etc. ended up liking one design hands down over the other. This kind of info. came out of our focus groups and usability tests.”
So this shows that EBSCO is being responsive to users (not surprising; they have usually been agile in both responding to and anticipating user needs), but still leaves me wondering if I – a visual learner who doesn’t welcome the Visual Search – am a product of my searcher genes (search nature) or of my environment (search nurture). There’s a dissertation in that, if anybody wants it. Meanwhile, I’m using EBSCO Advanced Searching, which I adore.
More as it happens,
Cheryl
Posted by Cheryl LaGuardia on January 25, 2008 | Comments (0)
