Utilization of Log Data Reflecting User Information- Seeking Behavior in the Digital Library

Abstract

This exploratory study aims to understand the potential of log data analysis and expand its utilization in user research methods. Transaction log data are records of electronic interactions that have occurred between users and web services, reflecting information-seeking behavior in the context of digital libraries where users interact with the service system during the search for information. Two ways were used to analyze South Korea’s National Digital Science Library (NDSL) log data for three days, including 150,000 data: a log pattern analysis, and log context analysis using statistics. First, a pattern-based analysis examined the general paths of usage by logged and unlogged users. The correlation between paths was analyzed through a χ2 analysis. The subsequent log context analysis assessed 30 identified users’ data using basic statistics and visualized the individual user information-seeking behavior while accessing NDSL. The visualization shows included 30 diverse paths for 30 cases. Log analysis provided insight into general and individual user information-seeking behavior. The results of log analysis can enhance the understanding of user actions. Therefore, it can be utilized as the basic data to improve the design of services and systems in the digital library to meet users’ needs.