Researching Users and Uses of Dictionaries

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Abstract

This chapter examines available investigative methods, and the profiles, preferences, requirements and strategies of dictionary users. It reviews user studies conducted over the past fifty years, reporting on what is currently known about the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches, but also drawing attention to areas that remain under-researched. Very little is yet known about the habits of less-educated dictionary users, for example, or about the everyday use of mobile e-dictionaries. The ultimate motivation for dictionary use research is the desire to help users consult dictionaries more successfully. Findings therefore need to be applied to learning contexts, and should also influence the design of new, and better, dictionaries.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Bloomsbury Handbook of Lexicography
EditorsHoward Jackson
PublisherBloomsbury Academic
Chapter6
Pages116-148
Number of pages33
Edition2
ISBN (Electronic)9781350181717
ISBN (Print)9781350181700, 9781350247437
Publication statusPublished - 24 Mar 2022

Publication series

NameBloomsbury Handbooks
PublisherBloomsbury Academic

Bibliographical note

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Keywords

  • Surveys
  • Interviews
  • Usability testing
  • Log file analysis
  • Protocols
  • Eye-tracking
  • User profiles
  • User preferences
  • Digital dictionaries
  • Bilingual dictionaries
  • Monolingual dictionaries

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