The impact of information architecture on academic web site usability

dc.contributor.authorGullikson, Shelley
dc.contributor.authorBlades, Ruth
dc.contributor.authorBragdon, Marc
dc.contributor.authorMcKibbon, Shelley
dc.contributor.authorSparling, Marnie
dc.contributor.authorToms, Elaine, G.
dc.date.accessioned2023-03-02T23:44:21Z
dc.date.available2023-03-02T23:44:21Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractRecent studies of web‐site use indicate that people do not come to the web for an “experience”, they come for information. Yet, to date, web‐site design has been synonymous with the “look and feel” of a site overlooking the significance of a site’s information architecture. In this study, we assessed the effect of the information architecture of an academic web site: how information is categorised, labelled and presented, and how navigation and access are facilitated. Twenty‐four participants from six faculties attempted to answer typical questions often asked within an academic milieu. They were able to find the answers to just over half the questions successfully and, in subjective assessments, gave the site a failing grade. We address how the information architecture affected their ability to negotiate the site and, additionally, make recommendations for the key ingredients: information design, access tools, and navigational aids.
dc.identifier.urihttps://unbscholar.lib.unb.ca/handle/1882/22402
dc.identifier.urlhttp://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/02640479910330714
dc.language.isoen_CA
dc.rightshttp://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_abf2
dc.subject.disciplineLibrary and Information Science
dc.titleThe impact of information architecture on academic web site usability
dc.typejournal article
oaire.citation.titleThe Electronic Library

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