Title of Article: Overcoming the information gap: measuring accessibility of library databases to adaptive technology users
Author: Jennifer Tatomir, Joan C. Durrance
Publication: Library Hi Tech Volume 28 No.4 (pp. 577 - 594)
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Date: 2010
Tatomir, Jennifer and Joan C. Durrance. 2010. Overcoming the information gap: measuring the accessibility of library databases to adaptive technology users. Library Hi Tech 28(4): 577-594.
Link: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1896430&show=html
The purpose of this study is to address problems associated with the accessibility of academic library databases. This study evaluates 32 databases and measures their accessibility to users of adaptive technology. Based on the results of this study, 72 percent of the evaluated databases were rated as marginally accessible or inaccessible, reflecting a low level of compliance to federal web accessibility legislation and international web accessibility standards. To measure database accessibility to adaptive technology users, this study operationalized accessibility into ten component parts as the Tatomir Accessibility Checklist (TAC) and tested each database on each component. Findings of this study can be used both by those who purchase and manage databases in libraries to identify the most accessible databases and by designers of the databases to improve specific features.
The data gathered as a result of this study using the TAC reveal several key findings regarding the state of accessibility of academic resources. First, current database load times experienced by adaptive technology users are unacceptable given that the database load times recorded in this study, which range from three to seven minutes, are significantly longer than the load times achieved by mainstream technologies. With the databases used in the study taking on average 4.4 minutes to load, these load times are unacceptable when compared to the rapid database load times experienced by mainstream technology users.
The data reveal a strong positive correlation between database load time and the number of TAC features absent from a database. As more TAC features fail to be incorporated into a database, the database load time likewise increases, indicating an undeniable connection, at the programming and design levels of databases, between load time and the presence or absence of TAC features.
Although many databases studied possess accessibility features, these features are often difficult to identify, are not consistently or logically named, necessitate user activation usually from the main page of the database creator and fail to contain all of the forms and functionalities essential for adaptive technology users to conduct the detailed research integral to academic and professional scholarship.
Directly building accessibility features into the databases accessed by mainstream users would eliminate these issues by increasing the overall accessibility of databases.
Study indicates that digital resources themselves pose a significant barrier to accessibility proportionally equal to the barriers fostered by a lack of access to and advancements in adaptive technologies. In addition, research into the positive and negative outcomes for disabled individuals generated by access or lack of access to adaptive technologies and digital resources likewise constitutes an area of investigation that will help to demonstrate the importance of technological and informational access to informationally underserved populations.
Comments:
The researchers elaborated more on their purpose and objectives of the study in the introduction section of the article. The researchers’ objectives seemed “measurable” by the instrument developed by the main researcher, Jennifer Tatomir.
The author used the databases used in one library only. The authors used respondents from one library only. There should be a comparison of databases used between at least one or two other libraries, whether in the same state or not. The results used from one library only could be swayed by the hardware available and mode of teaching how to access the internet.
In the procedures -The researchers said there were “thousands of journal databases available to libraries” but only 32 were selected for study. This small number compared to the thousands that are available may not give a general picture of the accessibility of academic databases to adaptive technology users.
Data on the study was collected in 2009, but does not state from when to when.
This research is very helpful for librarians when considering purchasing databases for libraries, especially when the academic institution or college has physically challenged students. The findings, presentation and explanation of important concepts used were clearly written.The conclusion, based on the findings, was systematically presented and easily understood.
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