Relevance of Subject Descriptions in an Online Public Access Catalogue

• Published in: Knjižnica Vol. 56; no. 1-2; pp. 55 - 75
• Main Author: Klemen, Aleš
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Library Association & University of Ljubljana Press (Založba Univerze v Ljubljani) 10.09.2013
• Subjects: Bias; Humanities; indexing; individual differences; information behaviour; Online catalogues; OPAC; Relevance; Science; Slovenia; Subject indexing; understanding
• ISSN: 0023-2424; 1581-7903
• DOI: 10.55741/knj.56.1-2.14382

ABSTRACTPurpose:  The aim of the article is to identify the relevance of subject headings in the online library catalogue (OPAC) and to verify the hypothesis that the database structure and the search language is more in favour of natural and technology sciences researchers than to researchers in the field of humanities.    Methodology/approach:  The study was held in a controlled environment. It took place between autumn 2009 and spring 2010. 13 undergraduate and 7 graduate students of chemistry and psychology participated. A stratified sample was used. Data were collected by the system log. We also recorded the entire screen imageand sound. Participants also answered a survey questionnaire. Content analysis was carried out. Linking of the identified categories and the theoretical framework of the research context followed.  Results:  The survey results showed no significant difference between the information seekers of the scientific fields considered. However, they showed the importance of the user's knowledge of information systems and the availability of resources. A lack of confidence in these results, the strong influence of internet search engine Google, and the lack of awareness on the existence of subject headings were identified. Consequently, it was impossible to test the hypothesis.   Research limitation:  Unrepresentative sampling, inability to generalize the findings.