The cascade of interactions in the digital library interface

• Published in: Information processing & management Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 381 - 400
• Main Author: Bates, Marcia J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2002; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Computer Interfaces; Computer System Design; Digital libraries; Digital library design; Electronic Libraries; Exact sciences and technology; Information and communication sciences; Information Networks; Information retrieval; Information retrieval systems; Information retrieval systems. Information and document management system; Information science. Documentation; Information system design; Information Systems; Interaction; Interface design; Online Catalogs; Online information systems; Online Systems; Sciences and techniques of general use; Studies; System design and modelling; Systems design; User interface; Information system design; Information retrieval systems; Interface design; Online information systems; Digital library design; Information system; User interface; User centered; Interaction; Example; System design; Information retrieval; Models; Electronic library
• ISSN: 0306-4573; 1873-5371
• DOI: 10.1016/S0306-4573(01)00041-3

Each design element or layer in an information system interacts with every other design layer in a synergistic, neutral, or conflicting manner. This cascade of interactions culminates in the interface, where all the prior interactions have either worked to produce effective information retrieval or to produce a hodgepodge of system elements working at cross-purposes. Very large networked and World-Wide-Web-based online databases and online public access catalogs provide numerous illustrative examples of how the cascade works. Good design requires that these interactions be well understood and properly designed for the purposes of the information system in question. Interactions among metadata and indexing systems, information system front-ends, user search capabilities, and interface design are discussed and used as illustrations for the effective design of digital library access.