To read this content please select one of the options below:

Revise, redUX, re-cycle: iterative website usability studies in an assessment cycle

Joyce Galletta DeStasio (Richard E. Bjork Library, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey, USA)
Eric Jeitner (Richard E. Bjork Library, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey, USA)

Performance Measurement and Metrics

ISSN: 1467-8047

Article publication date: 16 April 2024

Issue publication date: 17 April 2024

81

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to share the process, findings and conclusions from one library’s iterative usability study of its website design to inform other libraries as they perform their own assessments.

Design/methodology/approach

A task-completion usability study was conducted with eight undergraduate students across two iterations: the first gauged the usability of a redesigned library website and the second gauged the effectiveness of the first iteration’s findings.

Findings

We found that users performed better when the site provided multiple access points to the same information, displayed a prominent chat feature, limited the amount of text on a given page and avoided library jargon. Not only was the second round of testing important for confirming that first-round recommendations were effective but also it proved useful in catching a problem with the site that was unintentionally created during the time between tests.

Research limitations/implications

No demographic data were collected during the study, thus hindering our ability to analyze our users through these data points.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the value of iterative usability testing, especially when untested changes made between site versions may produce usability issues.

Keywords

Citation

DeStasio, J.G. and Jeitner, E. (2024), "Revise, redUX, re-cycle: iterative website usability studies in an assessment cycle", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 43-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/PMM-08-2023-0025

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles