Finding Aids as Boundary Objects

(Funded by the University of Pittsburgh Central Development Research Fund)

The research centered around a usability study of the interface for the University of Pittsburgh Historic Pittsburgh Project EAD encoded finding aids. Findings indicated that subjects had trouble understanding archival terminology, how best to search for information in finding aids, and were not familiar with the structure or contents of finding aids. In addition to building interfaces that minimize archival jargon and that rely heavily on users' prior understanding of hierarchical finding aids, this study indicates that users require new forms of virtual reference assistance in the online environment.

Article: E. Yakel, Encoded Archival Description: Are Finding Aids Boundary Spanners or Barriers for Users?

Investigators: E. Yakel

Return to Access to Primary Sources research projects

Return to Research projects and interests