Evaluating the usability of the information architecture of academic library websites

Abstract

Purpose 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. Design/methodology/approach 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. Findings 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. Research limitations/implications 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. Originality/value 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.

Usability evaluation of online digital libraries of educational institutions

“…The objectives of these rules are to quickly identify design problems of an application's interface. Because of its simplicity and lower cost, it is preferred as evaluation technique at the earliest design stages by HCI professionals [2,4,5]. In fact, we may say that a good systematic process of evaluation for an application's interface is heuristics evaluation.…”

Redesigning Library’s Website with SpringShare Products

“…A library website serves as an essential gateway to all services, resources, electronic or physical, online reference platform (Silvis et al, 2019), and discovery layer of the library service platform (LSP) of a university's library. An effective information architecture (IA) of this "large, information-rich system," is critical to ensure the available resources and services are findable and easy to find (Silvis et al, 2019;Rosenfeld et al, 2015, p. 25).…”

Soluciones de arquitectura de la información en plataformas digitales editoriales: revisión comparativa de Taylor and Francis Online, SAGE Journals, PLOS One, MDPI y Open Research Europe

“…Por todo ello, el estudio de las interfaces y funciones de las plataformas digitales editoriales (Silvis;Bothma;De-Beer, 2019) es una especialidad de estudio con derecho propio, a la que con este trabajo nos gustaría apoyar en la medida de nuestras modestas posibilidades.…”