TIME – a multi-leveled framework for evaluating and designing digital libraries

Abstract

Even though these are early days for digital libraries, three decades of research on human-computer interaction in general, and the recent history of hypermedia research in particular, indicate that whatever else occurs, the usability of digital library applications will prove crucial to widespread acceptance. In the present paper an evaluation framework (termed TIME) is outlined. TIME offers designers and implementers of digital libraries a framework to address key human factors in a user-centered manner. Bridging all levels of human factors, from the ergonomic to the user goal, TIME is a multilevel framework that highlights the interplay of multiple issues affecting user response to digital documents.