(Another) Database List Study

From January 1 to April 2025, the UX Team collected and analysed data related to the Database (DB) List. 

Research Questions:

• How is the DB List used?
• Who is using the DB List and why?
• How are users discovering the DB List?
• Given the evidence, are there better ways to proceed?

Method:

• Data analysis using SpringShare, Google, HotJar and Omni analytics tools
• Qualtrics survey

What did we learn?

• The DB List is well used, almost 21,000 pageviews and 12,000 clicks in the winter 2025 semester.
• Subject is by far the most used dropdown filter, then Types, then Vendor.
• Almost all of the most accessed databases are also found on the Featured Databases list.
• Curiously, users are accessing Omni via the Database List.
• March was the busiest month, April the least busy.
• Users were inputting full citations, journal, book and article titles, and full research questions into the search box. These searches would yield 0 results.
• Some users found the page overwhelming: “Too many options show up” and “Too much information is on this page”.
• Users were also searching Omni for database titles.

Recommendations

• As this was an exploratory study, no recommendations were made.