I've proposed A/B testing for our OPAC. I managed to avoid the torches, but
the pitchforks...youch!

On Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 5:55 PM, Sean Moore <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> There's a lot of resistance in my institution to A/B or multivariate
> testing
> any of our live production properties (catalog, website, etc...).  I've
> espoused the virtues of having hard data to back up user activity (if I
> hear
> one more "well, in my opinion", I'll just go blind), but the reply is
> always
> along the lines of, "But it will confuse users!"  I've pointed out the
> myriad successful and critical business that use these methodologies, but
> was told that businesses and academia are different.
>
> So, my question to you is, which of you academic libraries are using A/B
> testing; on what potion of your web properties (catalog, discovery
> interface, website, etc...); and I suppose to spark conversation, which
> testing suite are you using (Google Website Optimizer, Visual Website
> Optimizer, a home-rolled non-hosted solution)?
>
> I was told if I can prove it's a commonly accepted practice, I can move
> forward.  So help a guy out, and save me from having to read another survey
> of 12 undergrads that is "proof positive" of changes I need to make.
>
> Thanks!
>
> *Sean Moore*
> Web Application Programmer
> *Phone*: (504) 314-7784
> *Email*:  [log in to unmask]
>
> Howard-Tilton Memorial Library <http://library.tulane.edu>, Tulane
> University
>



-- 
Bill Dueber
Library Systems Programmer
University of Michigan Library