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Improving Database Discovery and Understandability by Identifying and Reducing A--Z List Jargon.

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Title: Improving Database Discovery and Understandability by Identifying and Reducing A--Z List Jargon.
Authors: Vickery, Robin1 robinv@arizona.edu, Hertzel, Christine2 chertzel@arizona.edu, Lema, Dana V.3 danalema@arizona.edu, Liu, Yingxuan4 bobliu@arizona.edu, Wallace, Niamh5 niamhw@arizona.edu
Source: Information Technology & Libraries. Jun2026, Vol. 45 Issue 2, p1-29. 29p.
Subject Terms: *Bibliographic databases, *Academic libraries, *College teachers, *Students, *Information retrieval, *Library public services, *Communication, *Access to information, *Information-seeking behavior, Terms & phrases, Internet, Surveys, User-centered system design
Abstract: Countless research questions arise when investigating connections between library resource discovery and student success. Existing literature explores best practices of database description language and style, the usability of database A--Z lists, and library resource jargon. Academic libraries continue to grapple with these challenges in resource discovery, even as online searching behavior evolves and new research tools emerge. A research team at the University of Arizona Libraries builds on the literature by examining these topics with a focus on the impact of a user's academic discipline, university affiliation (faculty, staff, or student), and research experience on their understanding of database terminology, resource content and applications, and A--Z list type filters. The authors conducted an environmental scan of library websites along with several usability tests to identify and reduce library and disciplinary jargon on their A--Z list to make databases more understandable and approachable to all users. This article presents the results of these assessments as a case study for exploring external and internal factors that impact users' understanding and discovery of databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Information Technology & Libraries is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Information+Technology+%26+Libraries%22">Information Technology & Libraries</searchLink>. Jun2026, Vol. 45 Issue 2, p1-29. 29p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bibliographic+databases%22">Bibliographic databases</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+libraries%22">Academic libraries</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+teachers%22">College teachers</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students%22">Students</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+retrieval%22">Information retrieval</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Library+public+services%22">Library public services</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication%22">Communication</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+information%22">Access to information</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information-seeking+behavior%22">Information-seeking behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Terms+%26+phrases%22">Terms & phrases</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet%22">Internet</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Surveys%22">Surveys</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22User-centered+system+design%22">User-centered system design</searchLink>
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  Data: Countless research questions arise when investigating connections between library resource discovery and student success. Existing literature explores best practices of database description language and style, the usability of database A--Z lists, and library resource jargon. Academic libraries continue to grapple with these challenges in resource discovery, even as online searching behavior evolves and new research tools emerge. A research team at the University of Arizona Libraries builds on the literature by examining these topics with a focus on the impact of a user's academic discipline, university affiliation (faculty, staff, or student), and research experience on their understanding of database terminology, resource content and applications, and A--Z list type filters. The authors conducted an environmental scan of library websites along with several usability tests to identify and reduce library and disciplinary jargon on their A--Z list to make databases more understandable and approachable to all users. This article presents the results of these assessments as a case study for exploring external and internal factors that impact users' understanding and discovery of databases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Information Technology & Libraries is the property of American Library Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194752202
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        Value: 10.5860/ital.v45i2.17583
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        Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: Bibliographic databases
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      – SubjectFull: College teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Students
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      – SubjectFull: Information retrieval
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      – SubjectFull: Library public services
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      – SubjectFull: Communication
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      – SubjectFull: User-centered system design
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              M: 06
              Text: Jun2026
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              Y: 2026
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