# /programs/ourwork/collectivecoll/archives/userstudies.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/programs/ourwork/collectivecoll/archives/userstudies.htm

# Analyze Specialized Archival Discovery Environments to Find Data Elements that Optimize Discovery of Archival Materials Project Problem statement: When unique and rare materials are disclosed in discovery environments—commercial hubs, specialized portals and institutional sites—disclosure mechanisms need to behave in useful and expected ways in order for researchers to discover primary materials successfully. Impact: In order to maximize investment of resources in description and discovery environments, it is essential to understand how various discovery environments use descriptive elements, how researchers use descriptive elements, and how users expect both the descriptive elements and the discovery environments to behave. This project will: survey specialized discovery environments in which archival materials currently appear analyze how descriptions flow into these environments synthesize search data from the environments to determine user behaviors and expectations determine optimal data and elements for this behavior to be successful |
For more information Jennifer Schaffner Program Officer jennifer_schaffner@oclc.org