Terminological Databases as a Means to Access Knowledge: Making Them Usable for a Non-Expert Audience

Abstract

Terminological databases are a means to manage and access specialist knowledge. Since they are specialist tools, non-terminologists may face difficulties when using them. This is related to two aspects. On the one hand, the user interface of a terminological database is targeted towards terminologists who are familiar with terminology management and the terminology of terminology. On the other hand, the content of terminological databases, i.e. terminological entries containing terms of certain domains, as well as the concept orientation of terminological databases might seem daunting at first glance if the users are not familiar with the relevant domain and terminology work.Therefore, drawing from usability engineering principles, this article addresses how terminological databases can be designed in a way that allows users who are not familiar with terminology work to easily access terminological databases, and thus the knowledge contained in them. Terminological databases are often used by terminologists and non-experts in terminology alike. Therefore, the needs of these different user groups should guide the(further) development of terminological databases to make the knowledge contained in them accessible to a broad audience.

Keywords

• user-centred design
• termbases
• usability