Advanced Search Interface in Connexions
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Executive summary
This report first gives a brief review of the advanced searches in Connexions competitors� websites. Among them, the advanced search in lulu.com seems to have the best advanced search. However, none of them can fit Connexions purpose exactly. Therefore, we came up with one prototype with the major features obtained from lulu.com � title, author�s name, keywords, language, but also with some other search options, like the option for users to search anywhere in the site and the option for users to specify the content domain (courses or modules) they want to search in. In addition, an option for users to choose subject areas might be very useful. Although this function is not available yet, we included it in the prototype.
Summary of Competitors�
Advanced Search
Among the five sites that have been reviewed, only lulu.com, merlot.org, and MIT OCW have advanced search function. The screen shots for them are shown in the table below.�
|
Name of the Site |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Lulu.com
|
The specific criteria are easy for users to fill out. |
Some of the names of the text fields are sort of ambiguous, such as �name.� |
|
Merlot.org
|
The options are very complete. |
There are too many options so that it is time-consuming for the users to fill them out. It is an over-kill. |
|
MIT OCW
|
The advanced search is exactly like the one in Google and easy to follow. |
The descriptions of the text fields are not friendly. |
Proposed Advanced Search for Connexions
����������� Based on these advanced searches, I made a prototype for Connexions advanced search interface, which is shown in the figure below:
1. Search in: for this option, users can select the content domain they want to search in. The reason to use check boxes here is that it can accommodate more types of content in the future. The default interface is that all the check boxes are checked.
2. Words anywhere: this is an option for user to specify a keyword they want to search in the whole site. The keywords should match title, author(s)� name, material keywords, etc. This is supposed to work like the general search.
3. Words in Title: this option is for users to specify the keywords in the title. The returned results with all the specified keywords in the title are supposed to display first in the sequence and then others.
4. Words in Author Name: This option is for users to specify the keywords in authors� name. The returned results with all the specified keywords in the authors� name are supposed to display first in the sequence and then others.
5. Subject: it is not available now. Once the subject tag is added to modules or courses, it will be very helpful for users to search by subject.
6. Language: since Connexions is used internationally now, it is better for users to search materials in their own languages.
7. At the end of the search, there is a link that can lead to the MathML search.
8. Beside each textfield or drop-down menu, there is a little help icon, which tells users what the option is about and an example might be given.
