Using semantic differential method to evaluate users’ olfactory perceptions in academic library
Abstract
Purpose
Spatial olfactory design in the library appears to be a practical approach to enhance the coordination between architectural spaces and user behaviors, shape immersive activity experiences and shape immersive activity experiences. Therefore, this study aims to explore the association between the olfactory elements of library space and users’ olfactory perception, providing a foundation for the practical design of olfactory space in libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Using the olfactory perception semantic differential experiment method, this study collected feedback on the emotional experience of olfactory stimuli from 56 participants in an academic library. From the perspective of environmental psychology, the dimensions of pleasure, control and arousal of users’ olfactory perception in the academic library environment were semantically and emotionally described. In addition, the impact of fatigue state on users’ olfactory perception was analyzed through statistical methods to explore the impact path of individual physical differences on olfactory perception.
Findings
It was found that users’ olfactory perception in the academic library environment is likely semantically described from the dimensions of pleasure, arousal and control. These dimensions mutually influence users’ satisfaction with olfactory elements. Moreover, there is a close correlation between pleasure and satisfaction. In addition, fatigue states may impact users’ olfactory perception. Furthermore, users in a high-fatigue state may be more sensitive to the arousal of olfactory perception.
Originality/value
This article is an empirical exploration of users’ perception of the environmental odors in libraries. The experimental results of this paper may have practical implications for the construction of olfactory space in academic libraries.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge all the experimental participants for their invaluable support and cooperation during the research. The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful and helpful feedback that helped improve this paper.
Funding: This study was supported by the National Social Science Fund of China (No. 22CTQ015) and the Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (No. KYCX22_3599).
Citation
Yu, Y., Su, W., Lu, Z., Liu, G. and Ni, W. (2024), "Using semantic differential method to evaluate users’ olfactory perceptions in academic library", Library Hi Tech, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2024-0120
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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