A manifesto ‐ regarding the future of transaction log analysis
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047889 |
| Published date | 01 February 1993 |
| Pages | 105-106 |
| Date | 01 February 1993 |
| Author | Beth Sandore,Patricia Flaherty,Neal K. Kaske,Martin Kurth,Thomas Peters |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
A MANIFESTO
REGARDING
THE FUTURE OF TRANSACTION LOG ANALYSIS
Beth Sandore, Patricia Flaherty, Neal K. Kaske, Martin Kurth, and Thomas Peters
Since the late 1970s TLA has maintained its role
as the most dependable method for unobtrusive observa-
tion of IR system
use,
although
the
analysis of transac-
tion logs remains a labor-intensive practice. The
difficult nature of TLA has undoubtedly hampered
interest in
its
development and refinement
into a
useful
method for analyzing user interaction with online
systems. However, the means to realize the full
potential of
this
powerful
tool
are
now
within
the
realm
of computing and information science research. The
goal of
this
paper is to create an increased awareness
of TLA and research efforts using
TLA
methodologies.
The authors propose several developments to
ensure the availability and usefulness of transaction
logs,
and to make TLA a viable research method for
those professionals interested in close examination of
user searching and system performance characteristics.
1) Develop national and international standards for
the collection of transaction log data, including
definitions of common terms associated with
transaction log analysis, required and optional
fields of transaction log records, and transaction
logging software.
2) Make transaction log data readily available to
librarians, and promote better communication
between developers of transaction logging facilities
and those who analyze them. We suspect that
many librarians are interested in examining system
searching information, but that it is difficult for
them to obtain transaction log or other system
data. Often such data are routinely generated as
part of the
package
of system use
reports.
Howev-
er, it
may
be necessary for library staff to inform
systems
or computer center staff exactly what type
of reports they need. Librarians are encouraged
to make persistent inquiries into obtaining this
type of data,
as
there
are
very few
online
systems
currently in operation that
do
not provide transac-
tion log or aggregate use information. Librarians
using systems that do not provide transaction log
data should assume an
active role in
working with
system designers to develop a useful log.
3) Refine TLA
to
enable sophisticated, user-centered
analysis of transaction logs:
• Develop easy-to-use software that would
enable complex computer analysis and com-
parison of log data within and among IR
systems.
• Address the relationship between catalog use
and circulation (all forms of document
delivery) by expanding transaction log re-
search to include circulation activity.
• Apply TLA to the searching and use of
databases other than
the online
catalog—full
text, numeric, community information servic-
es,
and Gopher servers, to name a few. Use
of
an
IR system
is
part of the larger process
of identifying, locating, retrieving, valuating,
evaluating, digesting, applying, and storing
information.
• Devise a graphical TLA method that can
track the use of graphical user software and
interfaces, including choices
made by
moving
around within a screen, or using a mouse.
• "Follow the user." Develop a TLA approach
that can track users through the process of
searching many databases with different
interfaces. Determine
how
much of
the
user's
Sandore
is assistant automated services librarian,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana,
Illinois;
Flaherty
is a programmer/analyst working in
systems development for MSUS/PALS, an automated
library system serving 55 academic and state agency
libraries in Minnesota; Kurth is head serials librarian,
University Libraries, Eastern Washington University;
Peters
is coordinator of collection
development,
Mankato
State University; and
Kaske
is program officer, Office
of Library Programs, U.S. Department of Education.
- MANIFESTO -
ISSUE
42 - 11:2 (1993) 105
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