Lecture12 Presentation.ppt
Download
Report
Transcript Lecture12 Presentation.ppt
Presentation of search
results
Guidelines for
deliverables
[email protected]; http://comminfo.rutgers.edu/~tefko/
Tefko Saracevic
1
Central ideas
A search is not finished with
the search
Effectiveness of results is
enhanced with proper
presentation
Added value
Tefko Saracevic
2
Goals
Create reports that
delight
enlighten
assure
guide to next
In a format that is
easy to interpret & use
maximize utilization for
decision-making
minimize information overload
But don’t go overboard
Tefko Saracevic
3
Why?
To enhance
potential use of information
comprehension
assimilation
recall
user satisfaction
To save time for user
To boost your professional
position and success
Tefko Saracevic
4
Basic considerations
Presentation is governed by
user characteristics
user task
request
expected use
economics (time & money)
Form follows function
there is no one-size-fits-all
deliverables are mostly customized
but standardized templates, forms,
packages may be used for given
occassion
Tefko Saracevic
5
Clues for customizing
Information about a desired
deliverable are gathered
from user – interview, request
user model
analysis or description about how
user is using information
Experience
own, from previous encounters
suggestions from literature &
studies
considerable body of knowledge on the
topic of presentation in a number of
fields, e.g. visualization, effective
communication, writing skills
Tefko Saracevic
for writing get Strunk & White Elements
of Style
6
Restrictions
Economics
time & money available
Resources available
Technical capabilities
Institutional policies
User requirements,
tolerances, knowledge …
Knowledge and skill in
packaging and presenting
information:
Tefko Saracevic
7
Worst scenario
Delivering print-outs of
results or pages
no arrangement
no editing, sorting …
no explanation
equals dumping
Everything else is added
value
it could be minimum, or it
could increase with added
processing
Tefko Saracevic
8
Enlighten:
Synthesis of results
Varies in analysis and detail
Minimum: Executive summary
salient steps & findings
succinct - often bulleted
Higher level: Overview
summation of pertinent information
found
extracting nuggets of gold
including recommendations
Highest: Report or brief
written narrative, trends analysis,
compilation of findings
e.g. market reports
articles found serve as references
Tefko Saracevic
9
Overall:
Content guidelines
In executive summary
restate the search query
review sources consulted
explain search strategy
reiterate key findings
summarize recommendations
These could be elaborated in report
Include full & organized search
results
each section preceded by a synthesis
Include recommendations
(if applicable)
about sources
guidelines for user to proceed
Tefko Saracevic
10
Delight:
Packaging guidelines
Users should want to read your
report
make an attractive title page
make it readable
wide margins, larger font, serif typeface
use section headings liberally
use visual elements where
information lends itself
graphs, tables, charts
simplify complex not complicate simple
make it easily handable
don’t mess with paper clips & rubber
bands
Tefko Saracevic
11
Delight … (cont.)
Length
depends heavily on user
short summary backed by longer original
documents
Source documents
well organized
could be converted from different types,
formats into a standard one
Could make & use a standard
template, if repeatedly delivering
stylized headings (e.g. from Word)
Could also provide a digitized
version/section
to use hyperlinks, & for cut & paste
Tefko Saracevic
12
Organize:
Search results guidelines
What to include depends on
sources, request, user
requirements, domain
e.g. bibl. citations, abstracts, selected
full texts, tables, graphs, tables of
content
web sources, screen shots of web
pages
Organize by
topic(s), each preceded by a short
summary
possibly also by assessment
Tefko Saracevic
relevance
potential value, timeliness
authority, comprehensiveness
readability, clarity
13
Assessments – if used
Relevance to topic
provide your own judgment and
appropriateness and explain your
criteria
Value to task
explain your consideration
Authority
if not obvious, explain authority or lack
about items
Qualify
You are NOT doctor, lawyer, chemist,
historian … but you know about
information sources
“It would appear…”
“Judging from…”
“In this researcher (study) opinion…”
Tefko Saracevic
14
Assure guidelines
Users need to be assured that they
received best information
(for the time & money available)
In the report describe in
appropriate places
sources & methodology used
parameters of search
inclusions, exclusions
definitions of terms, if necessary
citing specific sources in summary &
referring to articles
if assessed, criteria and procedures
Tefko Saracevic
15
Recommendations
Include ( details depend on user
& request)
where can the user get further
information on his/her own
if citations only, where & how can
full articles be obtained
what institutions may be most
relevant or helpful to consult
where and how can the user get
training in searching e.g. the
internet
who are possible contacts –
addresses, emails …
how much would cost if proceeding
on commercial sources or
professional searchers
Tefko Saracevic
16
Common user criteria
My question was understood and
addressed
I do not have to comb through
50 pages to get the answer
I can easily follow what was
presented
Now I know more for decisions I
have to make, I am less
uncertain
Or: I can’t deal with this – it is a
mess
Tefko Saracevic
17
At the end
How information is delivered can
make a or break a search
or you & your library
Guidelines for good practices exist
(& should be followed) to:
enlighten – synthesis
organize - content & inclusion
delight – presentation
asses
assure
recommend
Tefko Saracevic
18
Tips
To render a free logo or button for
your report go to:
http://cooltext.com/Default.aspx
Formatting a research report
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/for
matting.htm
APA style guide
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/apa4b.htm
Information visualization projects
http://bailando.sims.berkeley.edu/infovis.html
Tefko Saracevic
19
I like this book:
Tefko Saracevic
20