Exploring user experience in digital libraries through questionnaire and eye-tracking data

• Published in: Library & information science research 2022-07, Vol.44 (3), p.101175, Article 101175
• Main Authors: Kuhar, Maja, Merčun, Tanja
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Digital libraries; Evaluation; Eye-tracking; Methods; Questionnaire; User experience
• ISSN: 0740-8188; 1873-1848
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lisr.2022.101175

In the field of digital libraries, research on user experience is sparse, especially in terms of emotions, impressions, and stimulation evoked by interaction with the digital library. Given the many different methods and tools available for assessing user experience, two questionnaires and eye-tracking were explored to see how each can contribute to understanding user experience in digital libraries. An eye-tracking study with 30 participants was carried out using two digital libraries. Analysis of the questionnaires revealed that overall, one digital library was experienced more positively, with the difference most evident in the hedonic quality. The eye-tracking data revealed different gaze patterns in the two digital libraries, with significant difference in measure values particularly on the search boxes. When eye-tracking was combined with the questionnaire data, several correlations were found, indicating that the search box position and the intuitiveness of the homepage had an impact on the user experience. •User experience in two digital libraries is explored using eye-tracking and two questionnaires (UEQ-S and EWPL).•User experience reported in questionnaires is influenced by previous experiences.•Combining eye-tracking and questionnaire results allows for a better understanding and improvement of the user experience.•The search box and the homepage intuitiveness have an influence on the hedonic aspects of the user experience.