Users' Mouse/Cursor Movements in Two Web-Based Library Catalog Interfaces

Abstract. Screen-capture files of 40 subjects interacting with two university Web-based library catalog interfaces were analyzed to identify basic mouse/cursor movements that indicate usability issues. The users were asked to perform subject searches on their own topics in the online library catalog—a kind of information retrieval system. The mouse/cursor movements were analyzed in the contexts of the two different catalog interfaces, different search screens and stages in the search. The types of mouse movements identified included single actions, sequence of actions within a page, sequence of actions across pages and inactions. The possible explanations of the mouse/cursor behavior are described from cognitive and mental model perspectives