TIME - A Multi-levelled framework for evaluating and designing digital libraries

Abstract

This is a preprint of a paper published (with a slighlty different title: TIME - A multi-level framework for the design and evaluation of digital libraries) in the International Journal of Digital Libraries 2(2/3), 170-177. Abstract: Digital libraries promise benefits for all stakeholders in the information usage community which almost certainly will be matched by commensurate shortcomings that are as yet unforeseen. Even though these are very early days for digital libraries, three decades of research on human-computer interaction in general, and the recent history of hypermedia research in particular, indicate that whatever else occurs, the usability of digital library applications will prove crucial to widespread acceptance. In the present paper an evaluation framework (termed TIME) is outlined. TIME offers designers and implementers of digital libraries a framework to address key human factors in a usercentered manner. Bridging all levels of human factors, from the ergomonic to the user goal, TIME is a socio-cognitive framework that highlights the interplay of multiple issues affecting user response to digital documents.