Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Library Metadata
Author ORCID Identifier
Andrea Payant https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9873-1538
Liz Woolcott https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6017-1392
Paul Daybell https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9830-5870
Becky Skeen https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0215-6936
Publisher
Routledge
Publication Date
1-30-2024
Journal Article Version
Accepted Manuscript
First Page
1
Last Page
21
Abstract
As part of a multi-faceted research project examining user engagement with various types of descriptive metadata to improve metadata services, Utah State University Libraries Cataloging and Metadata Services unit investigated user search behavior in library catalog (MARC) records, Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids, and most recently in digital collection metadata. The authors used web log analysis to determine how users interacted with CONTENTdm, categories of search terms used, and where search terms were found in a record. Key findings included that navigation through CONTENTdm using clickable queries (links) is a prominent user search pattern, dates are an important faceting tool and date ranges as a clickable link are heavily used, users demonstrated a more engaged research pattern when searching with geographic terms, and subject and transcription metadata fields match user search terms at a significant rate and are likely to be high drivers of search results.
Recommended Citation
Andrea Payant, Liz Woolcott, Paul Daybell, Becky Skeen, Anna-Maria Arnljots, (2024). The Path of Least Resistance: Optimizing Metadata Practices through User Assessment. Journal of Library Metadata. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19386389.2024.2303872
Comments
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Library Metadata on January 30th, 2024, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/19386389.2024.2303872.