Tabs and Tabulations: Results of a Transaction Log Analysis of a Tabbed-Search Interface
Abstract
The following study analyzes user search behavior using a tabbedsearch
interface. For this study, a transaction log was used to collect
information about user searches and included tab used; search
terms; date, time, and location of search (on campus or off campus);
as well as a unique ID to identify the user session and another
ID to identify each transaction. This article explains the process for
examining 4,300 search queries conducted on the library homepage
during an academic semester and presents findings from the
analysis. The article also details enhancements that were made
to the tabbed-search interface as a result of the transaction log
analysis. Additionally, the article discusses the merits of using a
transaction log as a method of ongoing assessment of a library
Web site’s search interface.