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Journal ArticleDOI

Toward a Usable Academic Library Web Site: A Case Study of Tried and Tested Usability Practices

21 Sep 2015-Journal of Web Librarianship (Routledge)-Vol. 9, pp 99-120
TL;DR: Strategies and practices to measure Web site user experience, including classic usability testing methods (e.g., card sorting activities, focus groups, and task-based user testing), as well as the team's latest effort to assess Web site analytics and content to identify Web site usage patterns and areas of concern are presented.
Abstract: Usability testing is an important element when designing useful, usable academic library Web sites. Since 2001, members of the Florida International University Libraries Web team have worked toward establishing a process that identifies user needs through usability testing. Starting with the libraries’ first Web site redesign project in 2001, the team has taken an active part in improving Web site user experience. After engaging in multiple redesign efforts, the Web team has developed a process that supports awareness of user experience through continual usability testing and feedback gathering. This article presents strategies and practices to measure Web site user experience, including classic usability testing methods (e.g., card sorting activities, focus groups, and task-based user testing), as well as the team's latest effort to assess Web site analytics and content to identify Web site usage patterns and areas of concern. A history of the Florida International University Libraries’ Web site redesign...
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation are provided.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated list of heuristics and an information architecture (IA) framework for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites as well as an evaluation framework with practical steps on how to conduct the evaluation.,A set of 14 heuristics resulted from an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. A review of IA literature resulted in a framework for dividing academic library websites into six dialogue elements. The resulting heuristics were made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of recommendations based on a review of 20 related studies.,This study provides heuristics, a framework and workflow guidelines that can be used by the various evaluators of academic library websites, i.e. library staff, web developers and usability experts, to provide recommendations for improving its usability.,The focus of the usability principles is the evaluation of the IA aspects of websites and therefore does not provide insights into accessibility or visual design aspects.,The main problem that is addressed by this study is that there are no clear guidelines on how to apply existing usability principles for the evaluation of the IA of academic library websites.

15 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Analysis of usage data and other qualitative measures as part of a systematic review of current and potential e-resources highlights underutilized resources, access issues, and value discrepancies.
Abstract: Just what does usage mean? And how does it relate to value? Is there a fair way to ascertain the value of resources? In regards to library resources, “use” can simply be an arbitrary quantitative concept. Knowing that searches and sessions are considered input measures while result clicks and views are output measures helps the process. With electronic resources, we parse our usage statistics (when we can get them) to arrive at a cost per use, and define whether that use is a view, a printout, or a download. Of course, there are discrepancies as we examine different e-resources; for instance, cost-per-use can be very different with e-books—the definition of a “section” varies from vendor to vendor, and vendors' attempts to limit mass downloading mean that some e-book titles have page number limits with no correlation to chapter length. Analysis of usage data and other qualitative measures as part of a systematic review of current and potential e-resources highlights underutilized resources, access issues,...

15 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: The study provides exemplars of an electronic branch of a public library and the services it can offer to its community members that can be used to model ideal electronic branch libraries for library staff to improve their Websites.
Abstract: Introduction. This paper describes the findings of a study of 1517 public library Websites in Australia, Canada, and the United States over a period of four years. These Websites are referred to as ‘electronic branches' of the libraries, thereby extending the definition of physical library branches into the digital realm. The purpose of the research was to investigate the accessibility of public library Websites, the available online resources and whether library staff are available to respond to users' questions and concerns regarding the Website. Method. A quantitative study was conducted, using a spreadsheet protocol to determine if 18 criteria were present on the Websites. General comments about the Websites were also recorded and included in the analysis. Analysis. The quantitative data analysis for the 1517 Websites was done using Excel spreadsheets through formula manipulations. Descriptive statistics are used to report the findings. Results. The data revealed that the Websites of Canadian and USA libraries include more of the criteria than the Australian libraries. Overall many similarities were found between the accessibility of the Websites of the different countries. Conclusion. The study provides exemplars of an electronic branch of a public library and the services it can offer to its community members. These examples can be used to model ideal electronic branch libraries for library staff to improve their Websites.

13 citations


Cites methods from "Toward a Usable Academic Library We..."

  • ...Dominguez et al. (2015) used a think-aloud protocol during usability testing, focus groups, and card sorting during their many phases of Website design from 2001 to 2012....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An overview of user experience research carried out on the University of Toronto Scarborough Library website is provided using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research methods and detail insights gained from subsequent data analysis.
Abstract: With the rise of virtual library users and a steady increase in digital content, it is imperative that libraries build websites that provide seamless access to key resources and services. The paper aims to discuss these issues.,Usability testing is a valuable method for measuring user habits and expectations, as well as identifying problematic areas for improvement within a website.,In this paper, the authors provide an overview of user experience research carried out on the University of Toronto Scarborough Library website using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative research methods and detail insights gained from subsequent data analysis.,In particular, the authors discuss methods used for task-oriented usability testing and card sorting procedures using pages from the library website. Widely applicable results from this study include key findings and lessons learned from conducting usability testing in order to improve library websites.

11 citations

References
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Book
01 Jan 1993
TL;DR: This guide to the methods of usability engineering provides cost-effective methods that will help developers improve their user interfaces immediately and shows you how to avoid the four most frequently listed reasons for delay in software projects.
Abstract: From the Publisher: Written by the author of the best-selling HyperText & HyperMedia, this book provides an excellent guide to the methods of usability engineering. Special features: emphasizes cost-effective methods that will help developers improve their user interfaces immediately, shows you how to avoid the four most frequently listed reasons for delay in software projects, provides step-by-step information about which methods to use at various stages during the development life cycle, and offers information on the unique issues relating to informational usability. You do not need to have previous knowledge of usability to implement the methods provided, yet all of the latest research is covered.

11,929 citations


"Toward a Usable Academic Library We..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...When using the Think-Aloud Protocol, it is important to note what users are doing, particularly what they are looking at and engaging with, when conducting specific tasks (Nielsen 1994)....

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Book
24 Dec 2013
TL;DR: Since Dont Make Me Think was first published in 2000, hundreds of thousands of Web designers and developers have relied on usability guru Steve Krugs guide to help them understand the principles of intuitive navigation and information design.
Abstract: Since Dont Make Me Think was first published in 2000, hundreds of thousands of Web designers and developers have relied on usability guru Steve Krugs guide to help them understand the principles of intuitive navigation and information design. Witty, commonsensical, and eminently practical, its one of the best-loved and most recommended books on the subject. Now Steve returns with fresh perspective to reexamine the principles that made Dont Make Me Think a classicwith updated examples and a new chapter on mobile usability. And its still short, profusely illustratedand best of allfun to read. If youve read it before, youll rediscover what made Dont Make Me Think so essential to Web designers and developers around the world. If youve never read it, youll see why so many people have said it should be required reading for anyone working on Web sites. After reading it over a couple of hours and putting its ideas to work for the past five years, I can say it has done more to improve my abilities as a Web designer than any other book.Jeffrey Zeldman, author of Designing with Web Standards

155 citations


"Toward a Usable Academic Library We..." refers result in this paper

  • ...In the classic UX guide, Don’t Make Me Think, Steve Krug (2014) noted that one of the major issues in designing a positive UX is that we (as designers of products and services) often convince ourselves that our experience is akin to that of our users (105)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results from this study show that testing throughout the design process is an effective way to build a web site that not only reflects user needs and preferences, but can be easily changed as new resources and technologies emerge.
Abstract: This article presents a model for creating a strong, user-centered web presence by pairing usability testing and the design process. Four rounds of usability testing were conducted throughout the process of building a new academic library web site. Participants were asked to perform tasks using a talk-aloud protocol. Tasks were based on guiding principles of web usability that served as a framework for the new site. Results from this study show that testing throughout the design process is an effective way to build a web site that not only reflects user needs and preferences, but can be easily changed as new resources and technologies emerge.

50 citations


"Toward a Usable Academic Library We..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...In “Modeling a Library Website Redesign Process,” Becker and Yannotta (2013) made an effort to present a “model for creating a strong, user-centered web presence by pairing usability testing and the design process,” based on a two-year redesign process based on iterative design (6)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The goal is to make an argument that usability studies can be a valid form of scholarly research if certain limitations inherent in usability studies are addressed in the research design.
Abstract: Purpose – Usability studies are a form of library evaluation that are often passed off as research. However, at its core, usability is an evaluation method, not a research method. The goal is to make an argument that usability studies can be a valid form of scholarly research if certain limitations inherent in usability studies are addressed in the research design. Design/methodology/approach – Through evaluating literature in the social sciences, this paper makes an argument for usability as a research method if certain limitations inherent within usability testing are addressed. Findings – Usability is not only an evaluation method, but when limitations are addressed; it can be considered an important research tool within libraries. Originality/value – No other article in the library and information sciences literature talks about methodologies for usability. Most usability articles do not address methodologies utilized in a way that would be considered research in a broader social sciences context. Thi...

11 citations


"Toward a Usable Academic Library We..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...Emanuel (2013) provided a detailed analysis of the various methods presented in the literature, examining a number of usability studies to assess the methods and limitations associated with each type to arrive at a strategy to overcome the limitations “in order to have a methodologically strong…...

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