Transforming the Metasearch Concept into a Friendly User Experience
Tamar Sadeh · Internet Reference Services Quarterly · 2007
SUMMARY Research environments generally require users to locate information in a variety of resources. In an attempt to improve the sometimes frustrating user experience in such environments, the library community has embraced the concept of metasearching: a process in which a user searches simultaneously in numerous information resources. User experience is often dictated by the underlying technology. Faced with a number of challenges typical of the metasearch environment, user-interface designers need to find creative solutions for transforming metasearching into a friendly user experience. Through meticulous planning, a team of interface-design experts, a marketing manager, developers, and a focus group designed a user interface that addresses many of these challenges. Ultimately, what determines the success of a metasearch system is whether the users find it friendly, easy to use, and appropriate for their needs.