User interface acts as a bridge between user and information system. Its main performance is to help and guide users through their interaction with the system. Information seeking behavior is an important factor that can enhance and improve the use of database interfaces. Therefore, it is necessary to design database graphical interfaces based on users information seeking characteristics in order to enhance their applicability and performances. The aim of this research was to identify the important elements and features as well as the strengths and weaknesses of database interfaces. Using a qualitative method based on heuristic evaluation, this research examined the graphical user interfaces of Ebsco, Proquest, Emerald and Science Direct databases and matched their characteristics with the main features of Ellis model of information seeking behavior. Checklist and direct observation were used to collect the required data. Findings showed that interface designers rarely applied these features on the structure of studied user interface. Some features of Ellis model, such as starting, chaining and differentiating ones were relatively found in these interfaces. However, other three features of this model, namely browsing, monitoring and extracting ones were not supported by them. The degree of match between these user interfaces with Ellis model is moderate. As a result, taking information seeking behavior into account when designing user interfaces improve them and helps their users to access relevant information via databases easily.

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