A Usability Study of Online E-book Platforms in the Academic Library: A Case Study of Tamkang University

• Main Authors: Tzu-Lung Chiang, 江子隆
• Other Authors: 賴玲玲
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/22266259814952998446

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 資訊與圖書館學系碩士班 === 101 === This research examines usability issues of e-book platforms in an academic library. Chueh-Sheng Memorial Library of Tamkang University is chosen as a testing environment of the study. By exploring and examining the usability of academic e-books platform from the user’s point of view, this study aims to provide an interface that suits the user’s liking based on the results of the study. In this research, representative graduate students with varied academic backgrounds are chosen as the testing participants; EBSCOhost eBook Collection and SpringerLink E-Books are selected based on the analysis of most-used platform in the school and the most-studied platform in the literature review. The criteria of usability evaluation are ten features summarized from the e-book related literature as well as and “5Es” that Whitney Quesenbery (2003) proposed. The researcher investigates user preferences through the usability testing and in-depth interviews; also an online survey is carried out as a method of triangulation. The results of the study reveal usability issues and user’ demands on academic e-book platform. At last, this study proposes a practical recommendation for academic e-book platform. Also, suggestions for improvements, including icons designs, layout of an interface, and a complete template of simulated platform, are provided, which the researcher hopes can be used as a reference for e-book platform designers and for library practitioners when making purchasing decisions.