Search published articles


Showing 2 results for Website Evaluation

Samira Daniali, Dr. Amir Hossein Seddighi,
Volume 8, Issue 2 (9-2021)
Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the University of Tehran website based on information architecture indicators to inform, assess the status and quality of the website.
Methodology: The research method is applied descriptive. Checklist was used to analyze the website in terms of organization, labeling, navigation, and search systems.
Findings: The results of the checklists showed that the University of Tehran website earned 20 points out of 37 in the organization, 37 points out of 57 in the labeling, 53 points out of 78 in the navigation, and 14 points out of 46 in the search, which imply a poor status in search system, an average status in organization system, and a good status in labeling and navigation systems. According to the obtained results, the search system of the University of Tehran website can be redesigned, its organization system can be reviewed, and other mentioned systems can be improved. In general, in order to increase the efficiency of websites, it is necessary to consider the principles of information architecture in their design. Moreover, this research can be a suitable source for future website policies by identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the website.
Conclusion: Evaluating the information architecture of a website is a new field that, while important, has received less attention. This research tries to show the applicability of the method for use in similar cases by presenting a systematic evaluation in a case study for the University of Tehran website while introducing the strengths and weaknesses of this website.
 
Dr. Amir Hossein Seddighi,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (1-2023)
Abstract

Purpose: As mission-oriented organizations, research institutes have the task of answering community questions in specialized areas, and should therefore be able to effectively present their outputs to their target users. Achieving such a goal requires the proper use of information architecture principles to properly organize the information platform in which the research institutes interact with their audiences. Therefore, reviewing and evaluating the information architecture of Research Institutes’ websites as their main communication platform with their users is of particular importance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology’s website based on information architecture.
Methodology: The research method is based on content analysis and case evaluation and is done using direct observations and checklists in March 2022. In this regard, first the components of the information environment, ie the context, content, and user of the website are identified. Then, we check the information architecture subsystems of the website using checklists based on the components of the information environment. The organization system checklist contains 14 main questions, the labeling system checklist contains 32 main questions, the navigation system checklist contains 20 main questions, and finally, the search system checklist contains 41 main questions. The checklists were prepared using the library research method and approved by an expert panel. Excel software is used to collect and analyze data.
Findings: Users of the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology’s website can be categorized into four groups: researchers and students, science and technology policymakers, librarians and informants, and educational and research institutions. The main content of this website includes reports, books, articles, research projects, information systems, scientific events, training courses, laboratories, and collaborative services. The context of the website is based on service development and delivery in the areas of knowledge management, scientific and technological information management, dissemination of information science and technology, supporting science and technology policymakers, Publicizing the use of information technology, cooperating with universities and research institutes, and supporting research in the field of information science and technology. The results of the checklists indicate the score of this website for the organization system, the labeling system, the navigation system, and the search system as 67.6%, 68.4%, 65.4%, and 34.8%, respectively.
Conclusion: The status of the Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology’s website is assessed as good in terms of the organization system, the labeling system, and the navigation system, and poor in terms of the search system. The use of an audience-oriented organization plan in the website organization system, the use of index labels in the form of unique entities in the website labeling system, and the use of a main navigation bar with an integrated and similar design in the website navigation system are among the strengths of the website information architecture design. On the other hand, according to the research findings, to improve the search system, it is necessary to pay attention to features such as “correcting spelling errors in the input query”, “highlighting the input query in the retrieved results”, “adding logical operators to the search system”, “searching metadata”, “sorting results in alphabetical and chronological order”, and “adding search filters such as subject and year”.
 


Page 1 from 1     

© 2024 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Human Information Interaction

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb