Search results
1 – 10 of over 11000Nora Dethloff and Elizabeth M. German
The purpose of this case study is to raise issues and challenges with the formation and structure of web teams within libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this case study is to raise issues and challenges with the formation and structure of web teams within libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review the literature and reflect on their experience with web teams.
Findings
The literature is scarce when it comes to discussions on building web and usability teams. However, using team formation theory can strengthen any sort of web team regardless of the exact nature of its formation and structure.
Practical implications
This paper reviews and reflects on a list of team formation aspects that could be beneficial while building a web team.
Originality/value
This case study fills a gap in the literature about how web and usability teams are formed and how team structure affects the success of the group.
Details
Keywords
This paper seeks to present a comparative study of the traditional usability‐testing process and the re‐engineered usability‐testing process for live multimedia systems.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to present a comparative study of the traditional usability‐testing process and the re‐engineered usability‐testing process for live multimedia systems.
Design/methodology/approach
Provides an overview of current usability‐testing techniques and usability laboratory configurations, and identifies some gaps in the traditional usability‐testing approach.
Findings
Traditional usability‐testing procedures are suitable for testing systems in the static environment but prove to be sub‐optimal in testing systems for dynamic (real‐time) environments.
Originality/value
The traditional set‐up is compared with innovative laboratory configuration, which consists of three computer systems: the test system in the middle augmented by two systems on either side that function as the scenario presenter and the data collection system. The re‐engineered usability‐testing process streamlined usability experiments and reduced the task completion times.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this research is to compare the results of two different usability techniques in evaluating the Web of Science interface.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to compare the results of two different usability techniques in evaluating the Web of Science interface.
Design/methodology/approach
At first three human factors experts conducted a heuristic evaluation with the interface. Then, usability testing was conducted with 22 students recruited from various departments at Loughborough University, UK.
Findings
A comparison of these techniques showed that heuristic evaluation revealed qualitative information whereas usability testing uncovered mostly quantitative data about usability of the interface. Although heuristic evaluation found more problems than usability testing, it also identified complementary information.
Research limitations/implications
This paper recommends applying multiple usability techniques to ensure comprehensiveness in evaluating IR interfaces.
Originality/value
This paper shows that using multiple usability techniques resulted in a high degree of comprehensiveness in evaluating IR user interfaces.
Details
Keywords
To provide a model for implementing an on‐going program of training in usability topics for staff throughout the organization.
Abstract
Purpose
To provide a model for implementing an on‐going program of training in usability topics for staff throughout the organization.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on best practices and thinking of industry leaders, a model for implementing an on‐going training program is developed based on learning theory, training practices, and the unique issues related to usability engineering.
Findings
Provides a model for developing a localized training program for usability.
Originality/value
This paper addresses an area of usability, training in usability, which has not been addressed directly. It fills a vacuum in the literature by offering a practical model for beginning an on‐going program of usability training for staff.
Details
Keywords
Bimal Aklesh Kumar, Sailesh Saras Chand and Munil Shiva Goundar
Mobile learning has seen tremendous growth over the years. Like any other software application, usability is one of the key concerns in its successful implementation. There is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile learning has seen tremendous growth over the years. Like any other software application, usability is one of the key concerns in its successful implementation. There is a lack of study that provides a comprehensive overview of usability testing of mobile learning applications. Motivated by this a mapping study is conducted.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic mapping study was conducted using 51 papers retrieved from the Scopus database published between 2005 and 2022 that reported on usability testing of mobile learning applications.
Findings
The key findings suggest that research is expected to expand in the near future. User-based testing is the commonly used method, while data are collected mainly through questionnaires, observation and interviews. Testing is mainly conducted in a controlled environment.
Originality/value
The study provides (1) an evidence-based discussion on usability testing of mobile learning applications, (2) an up-to-date map on state of the art on usability testing of mobile learning applications and (3) providing direction for further research to scientifically strengthen the field.
Details
Keywords
Adil Baykasoglu, Burcu Felekoglu and Ceylin Ünal
Usage of learning management systems (LMSs) has become widespread with the disruption of face-to-face educations after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several software products…
Abstract
Purpose
Usage of learning management systems (LMSs) has become widespread with the disruption of face-to-face educations after the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several software products, usually named as LMS to enable and support distance education. However, selection of a suitable LMS is a complex multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) problem that requires consideration of many criteria and inputs from different parties like students, academicians, education managers, etc. Usability evaluation of LMS is one of the critical steps in deciding which LMS system to be adapted. There are several studies related to usability evaluation of LMS in the literature, but utilization of MCDM methods and real life case studies are very rare. Based on this motivation, perceived usability evaluation of SAKAI-LMS that is in use at an academic department is performed by employing axiomatic design procedure (ADP). This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issues.
Design/methodology/approach
ADP is considered as a suitable MCDM method for perceived usability evaluation as it allows an easy approach to data fusion and setting performance targets for decision makers. A questionnaire is developed to collect data from three types of system users about predetermined usability criteria and their importance. After detailed statistical analyses and weighting criteria via analytical hierarch process (AHP), ADP is carried out to evaluate usability of the LMS.
Findings
It is found that the proposed ADP based approach is easy to apply in practical circumstances and able to quantify perceived usability of the LMSs.
Research limitations/implications
The proposed approach provides an easy and practical evaluation of perceived usability of the LMSs for decision makers who are responsible for the implementation of LMSs. The developed novel and practical MCDM-based perceived usability approach for LMS in this study has been verified through a real life case study at an academic department. Perceived usability results, therefore, reflects only the views of this focus group and are not generalizable.
Originality/value
First time in the literature, a comprehensive ADP based MCDM approach is proposed based on the analyses of the related literature and information gathered from the system users.
Details
Keywords
This study aims to evaluate the usability and information architecture of the digital library (DL) website of the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the usability and information architecture of the digital library (DL) website of the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI).
Design/methodology/approach
This applied study used an exploratory mixed method, card sorting. Data were collected by interviewing, observation, usability test and card sorting. By interviewing users about problems of the DL, eight tasks were predefined and users’ problems in the path were identified. Their satisfaction of the tasks and the usability rates were measured via a questionnaire. Card sorting was done to inform on the information organization of the website elements. The study population included all users of the DL of the NLAI in two groups: ten initiator users (public users) and ten expert users (librarians). SPSS was used for analysing the usability test quantitative data. MaxQda was applied for analysing interview-driven qualitative data. Qualitative content analysis, categorization (data organization and grouping) and determining main and secondary codes were applied as well. The sort optimal application was used for analysing card sorting data in the form of similarity matrix and dendrogram. For validating qualitative findings, triangulation was used. The internal reliability of the used questionnaire amounted to a = 0.87
Findings
Regarding the assigned tasks, new initiator users by consuming 367.67 s for registering and new expert users by consuming 403 s spent the most time. Task 2 ranked first in being incomplete among 40% of initiator users and Task 3 ranked first by 30% of incompleteness. Expert users had more unsuccessful attempts. Task 5 with the mean rate of 3.35 and Task 8 with the mean rate of 2.25 were the most difficult and the easiest tasks, respectively. Some usability components were rated lower than the moderate point. Only 30% of initiator users and 10% of expert users were satisfied with the website. A total of 12 categories and 452 codes were identified as main problems of the DL. The problems related to a vague perception of concepts and labels with 90 repetitions and digital source display with six repetitions ranked as the first and the last problems in working with the DL, respectively. The sort optimal package produced the card sorting results as a matrix similarity and a dendrogram. Card sorting reflected some changes in organizing information items. Interviews after card sorting emerged some new groups to be included, such as links to other digital libraries, shared databases in the organization and frequently asked questions.
Originality/value
The library’s website should be designed in a manner so that it can satisfy users with different traits. As the information technologies are increasingly developing, the importance of such a design increases for better service provision and effective competition.
Details
Keywords
Joyce Galletta DeStasio and Eric Jeitner
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…
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.
Details
Keywords
In recent years, there has been a growing desire to more fully integrate informants into the overall research process. In response to this trend, the purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, there has been a growing desire to more fully integrate informants into the overall research process. In response to this trend, the purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the usage and outcomes of the member checking technique for enabling more participatory interpretive research practices. Information systems (IS) research has utilized this technique, but it has not yet undergone a thorough analysis in this context. Additionally, interpretive IS research is in need of means and tools for engaging with informants during the data analysis and interpretation process.
Design/methodology/approach
The data for this study originated from an inquiry into the position of usability work within its cultural context, and this study has adopted a hermeneutic lens to make sense of the member checking technique, which positions informants as co-analysts and co-interpreters to make sense of both their organizational realities and researchers’ interpretations of those realities.
Findings
The analysis shows that during the research process, the informants reproduced, questioned, and cultivated the researcher-crafted texts that they were given to interpret, both individually and collaboratively. The study shows that member checking contributes to fulfilling the criteria set for interpretive IS research in a variety of ways.
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to interpretive IS research method practice by offering IS researchers insights into and guidelines on the usage and potential outcomes of the member checking technique.
Originality/value
The examination of the member checking technique through a hermeneutic lens is a novel approach. For IS research, the study explicates the usages and outcomes of member checking in more participatory interpretive research practice. Also novel in this study is that member checking is examined as a collective endeavor.
Details
Keywords
Adeleh Asemi, Asefeh Asemi and Hamid Tahaei
The objective of this research was to develop a new and highly accurate approach based on a fuzzy inference system (FIS) for the evaluation of usability based on ISO…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of this research was to develop a new and highly accurate approach based on a fuzzy inference system (FIS) for the evaluation of usability based on ISO 9241-210:2019. In this study, a fully automated method of usability evaluation is used for interactive systems with a special look at interactive social robots.
Design/methodology/approach
Fuzzy logic uses as an intelligent computing technique to deal with uncertainty and incomplete data. Here this system is implemented using MATLAB fuzzy toolbox. This system attempted to quantify four criteria that correlate highly with ISO 9241-210:2019 criteria for the evaluation of interactive systems with maximum usability. Also, the system was evaluated with standard cases of computer interactive systems usability evaluation. The system did not need to train various data and to check the rules. Just small data were used to fine-tune the fuzzy sets. The results were compared against experimental usability evaluation with the statistical analysis.
Findings
It is found that there was a high strong linear relation between the FIS usability assessment and System Usability Scale (SUS) based usability assessment, and authors’ new method provides reliable results in the estimation of the usability.
Research limitations/implications
In human-robot systems, human performance plays an important role in the performance of social interactive systems. In the present study, the proposed system has considered all the necessary criteria for designing an interactive system with a high level of user because it is based on ISO 9241-210:2019.
Practical implications
For future research, the system could be expanded with the training of historical data and the production of rules through integrating FIS and neural networks.
Originality/value
This system considered all essential criteria for designing an interactive system with a high level of usability because it is based on ISO 9241-210:2019. For future research, the system could be expanded with the training of historical data and the production of rules through integrating FIS and neural networks.
Details