End-user reactions towards working with Computer-Based Information Retrieval Systems (CBIRS)

This paper reports the results of an investigation of users' perceptions of and feelings towards working with Computer-Based Information Retrieval Systems (CBIRS). Detailed questionnaires were distributed to members of the United Kingdom Online User Group (UKOLUG), to database users within a large organisation (Site A), and to end-users of a complex commercial database containing information about electronic components (Codus). The three groups differed significantly in their perceptions towards working with a CBIRS, with UKOLUG members holding the most positive perceptions. More frequent use of the CBIRS was found to be significantly related to perceived functional utility of the CBIRS in all three groups. In only two of the groups (UKOLUG and Codus) was perceived difficulty in operating the system negatively related to frequency of use. Job attitudes were not significantly related with perceptions towards working with a CBIRS, but were significantly related with current usage of the CBIRS. For all three groups, reported 'planfulness' (tendency to plan) when using a CBIRS was positively related to feelings of pressure when using the system. The paper discusses the implications of the study's findings for future research and development in the field of human-computer interaction.