Visualization of Information Retrieval Process in Digital Libraries :A Proposed Model

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: The current study was conducted to visualize the information of dissertations by considering the importance of dissertations, their retrieval speed, and awareness of relations among them in academic libraries. Aim: The major aim of current study was to design a Subject-Title graph for the dissertation division of a selected library in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences for presenting the interactive graphic view of Subjects relations. Methods: The IR-system was designed by information visualization toolkits that presented the related subjects of dissertations in the library. In addition a standard questionnaire (QUIS Questionnaire) was administered among users for measuring their satisfaction-levels and an other questionnaire for system usability measuring. Results: The designed IR system provided a user-friendly environment through displaying subjective relations of dissertations, overwhelming variety of colors in displaying information. Fast and easy access to the cover-to-cover information of dissertations and user-interaction facilities were the advantages of designed IR. Analysis of data indicated that the user satisfaction from altered features was evaluated from medium to high. Satisfaction from the software feature showed the highest rate (69.3%0.47%). Conclusion: Designing the IR-system revealed an excessive Influence on users’ satisfaction; therefore proposing such systems for employing in academic libraries is very suitable and its implementation is necessary.