A Research On The Behavior And Motivation Of OPAC Information Search Based On The Theory Of Self-efficacy

With the construction and development of digital libraries,smart libraries and other projects,the online public search catalog(OPAC)system has gradually become a basic general way for university users to find and obtain collection resource information from libraries.Taking the OPAC search log as the main data source of the research can objectively reflect the main user’s search behavior characteristics and preferences.This will help promote the docking of the OPAC system with user needs in terms of the functions and services provided,enhance the user’s ability to search for information on collections,and ultimately maximize the use of collections.This study introduces the theory of self-efficacy,explores the OPAC information search behavior and behavioral motivations of college students,and proposes optimization suggestions from multiple perspectives of the OPAC system,library and college students,so as to improve the effectiveness of college students’ use of library OPAC system information search.This research adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods.First,the log analysis method is used to analyze more than 330,000 library OPAC search log data from the four aspects of basic usage,keywords,query and search sessions,and objectively describe the characteristics of the OPAC information search behavior of college students.The purpose is to select interview subjects and prepare an outline for the interview.Next,the author uses the interview method,combined with the self-efficacy theory to compile a semi-structured interview outline.After completing the interviews with 15 college students,the interview data of more than 100,000 words was coded in order to analyze and discuss the motivation of college students’ OPAC information search behavior.Subsequently,combined with the in-depth analysis and discussion of the typical user self-efficacy survey results,the OPAC log analysis results were verified.Finally,guided by the theory of self-efficacy,in the context of considering the collaboration of information systems,libraries,and college students,the author puts forward suggestions on the optimization of OPAC search effects in college libraries,such as promoting the OPAC intelligent retrieval process,improving library’s personalized service model and improving students’ information literacy,etc.This research has the following important conclusions:(1)The motivations of college students’ OPAC information search behavior can be summarized into four main dimensions,which are mastery experience,alternative experience,emotion and state,and verbal persuasion.The mastery experience includes task estimation,knowledge structure,search strategy,and retrieval experience;Alternative experience includes demonstration training,guidance and assistance;Emotions and states include self-perception,personal emotions and system evaluation;Verbal persuasion includes psychological suggestion and persuasion from others.(2)The behavioral characteristics analyzed by the OPAC log can be reasonably explained by the above motivations.For example,the humanities and social sciences users are more dependent on the library than the science and engineering users because of the difference in their task estimates;PhD users use the OPAC system in a larger proportion than other students.In addition to task estimation,it also includes the influence of its own knowledge structure;The lack of guidance and demonstration training will cause obstacles for users in constructing and adjusting query styles,thereby reducing search efficiency;The ease of use of the system affects the user’s search experience and the willingness to continue using it,and it is also one of the reasons why users need to constantly carry out query-style reconstruction.