TY  - CHAP
U1  - Buchbeitrag
A1  - Müller-Spitzer, Carolin
ED  - Müller-Spitzer, Carolin
T1  - Empirical data on contexts of dictionary use
T2  - Using online dictionaries
N2  - To design effective electronic dictionaries, reliable empirical information on how dictionaries are actually being used is of great value for lexicographers. To my knowledge, no existing empirical research addresses the context of dictionary use, or, in other words, the extra-lexicographic situations in which a dictionary consultation is embedded. This is mainly due to the fact that data about these contexts are difficult to obtain. To take a first step in closing this research gap, we incorporated an open-ended question (“In which contexts or situations would you use a dictionary?”) into our first online survey (N = 684). Instead of presenting well-known facts about standardized types of usage situation, this chapter will focus on the more offbeat circumstances of dictionary use and aims of users, as they are reflected in the responses. Overall, my results indicate that there is a community whose work is closely linked with dictionaries. Dictionaries are also seen as a linguistic treasure trove for games or crossword puzzles, and as a standard which can be referred to as an authority. While it is important to emphasize that my results are only preliminary, they do indicate the potential of empirical research in this area.
T3  - Lexicographica : series maior - 145 
KW  - contexts of dictionary use
KW  - extra-lexicographic situation
KW  - content analysis
KW  - open-ended question
KW  - user needs
KW  - user aims
KW  - Computerunterstützte Lexikographie
KW  - Benutzer
Y1  - 2014
U6  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:mh39-21764
UN  - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:mh39-21764
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783110341287.85
SN  - 978-3-11-034116-4
SB  - 978-3-11-034116-4
SP  - 85
EP  - 126
PB  - De Gruyter
CY  - Berlin; Boston
ER  -