information architecture & usability for the systems librarian

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE, USABILITY

& FINDABILITYA Perspective for the Systems

Librarian & ILS Selection

What’s All the Hub-Bub?

New tools require new paradigms Just as a librarian must understand how

resources are cataloged and stored in the physical library, they must understand how e-content is organized

This requires: Technical knowledge of org. systems Understanding user behavior Understanding principles of design

Why is it Important to the Systems Librarian?

How do they get to your system in the first place?

System is more than the ILS today Quality content can be organized in

environments not as friendly as an ILS Systems are not always organizing books

or traditional content any longer The new tools we give end-users to find

materials can actually create a digital divide

What Elements Do We Look for in a Web Interface?

Interface Elements

Design Does it appeal to the eye? Does it “feel” good?

Usability Is it functional, intuitive, require little effort,

etc. Findability

Can I find it to use it? Can I find what I want when I get there?

Interfaces should be balanced and contain all 3 elements!

Exceptions to the Rules

One element of the interface can trump all others Craigslist Flash sites Minimalist Design Twitter Facebook

Information ArchitectureThe First Half of the Development Process

What is Information Architecture (IA)?

Information Design & PresentationHuman Information Behavior (HIB) plays a roleStructuring, Organizing and Labeling

TaxonomiesMetadataControlled VocabulariesSEO & Search Log Analysis

FindabilityEthnography & Usability EngineeringHuman Computer Interaction (HCI) borders and

sometimes encompasses IAInformation architecture for the World Wide Web" by Peter Morville & Louis Rosenfeld. O’Reilly, 2006.

IA-related Fields

Usability Engineering/HCI Interaction/Experience Design

Software DevelopmentWeb DevelopmentWeb Programming

Enterprise Search/KM Content Management

What Does IA Involve?

Creating site structure Site maps, wire diagrams, prototypes

Site Navigation Labels, icons, categories

Organization of Content Taxonomies, Controlled Vocab, Metadata

Testing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Building is usually done by developer

Site Map

Wire Diagram

Mock-up

PrototypingTools

Visio Photoshop, Fireworks Axure Serena Omnigraffle Mindmapping Tools

Taxonomies, Controlled Vocabularies & Metadata

Primary tools used in organization of site content

Important in new ILS as you often have more control over the organization of content

CMS and ILS are beginning to merge providing new opportunities (See, VTLS Chamos)

Vocabulary tools facilitate search and enable findability

Taxonomy & Content Tools

Excel MultiTes Factiva Synaptica Lexico Web Choir Term Tree Data Harmony

Findability*What About this Idea?

*This is a term I credit to Peter Morville not myself.

Class Exercise

Was it Churchill who said, democracy is the worst political system, except for all the others?

Need reputable cite-able source (NOT wikipedia)

IUPUI UL

The top joint of the last two fingers of my right hand have turned red and swollen. What does it mean?

WebMD

Findability Involves

SEO Search Engine Ranking Site Optimization Metatags

Pathways – Where they Arrive From Search Log Analysis Site Analytics

This only gets them to your site!

Findability Within the Site

Search Engine Sound Structure and Navigation Auto-complete functions Enhanced Web Programming

Spellcheck Advanced Algorithms

Suggestions“If you like this, you might try…”

Social Networking

Usability & TestingThe Second Half the Development Process

Site & Design Testing

Emerging as a field distinct from IA HCI – Human Computer Interaction Often overlaps with IA HCI Involves

Usability Evaluation Design and development efforts Prototyping Psychology

User Behavior

How People View the Web:ScanMuddle throughQuick click through links

The free nature of the web encourages this while discouraging planning or structuring searches

Dialog Classic as an example

How Users View Pages

Usability Guidelines

NavigationCurrent location within the site is shown clearly

Link to the site's main page is clearly identifiedMajor/important parts of the site are directlyaccessible from the main page Site map is provided for a large, complex siteEasy to use Search function is provided, as needed

FunctionalityFunctions are clearly labeledEssential functions are available without leaving the

sitePlug-ins are used only if they add value

MIT Usability Guidelines. http://ist.mit.edu/services/consulting/usability/guidelines

Usability Guidelines Cont.

User ControlsUser can cancel any operation (Forgiveness)Clear exit point is provided on every pageSmall page sizeAll appropriate browsers are supportedhttp://browsershots.org/

Online Help & User GuidesSite is designed to require minimal help and

instructionsHelp and instructions, if needed, are easily

accessible

MIT Usability Guidelines. http://ist.mit.edu/services/consulting/usability/guidelines

Usability Guidelines Cont.

Language & ContentRelated information or tasks are grouped: - on the same page or menu - in the same area within a pageLanguage is simple, without jargonParagraphs are briefLinks are concise, expressive, and visible--not

buried in text

MIT Usability Guidelines. http://ist.mit.edu/services/consulting/usability/guidelines

Usability Guidelines Cont.

Consistency The same word or phrase is used consistently to

describe an itemLink reflects the title of the page to which it

refers

Aesthetics & Design

MIT Usability Guidelines. http://ist.mit.edu/services/consulting/usability/guidelines

Why Usability Studies are Important to the Systems Librarian

Debunk your assumptions projected on end-user

Study results are beneficial to other libraries selecting ILS

Studies in library science are often poorly designed (or non-existent)

Improve web page or sites designed to bring users to ILS

Improve systems beyond ILS (digital libraries, repositories, etc.)

Usability studies = publishing

Usability Testing Methods

Generally use both qualitative and quantitative methods in testing

Small sample sizesSample sizes can often lack representative

integrity Example: A Number of LIS studies use LIS Grad

Students. What is the problem with this?

Usability Testing Methods Cont.

Normally testing is not meant to have the rigidity we might see in fields such as medical science

Jacob Nielsen – Heuristic Evaluation & “5 users is enough” - Sample size might not be representative - Level of expertise in users can play a role as

illustrated via Novice to Expert Ratio

Quantitative Usability Testing*

Task Analysis (can be timed)GOMS (Goals, Operator, Methods, Selection)Keystroke ModelingSoftware Tracking (eye tracking, Morae)

Remote Usability Testing

Site Usage LogsQuestionnaire

Can be quantitative or qualitative depending on study design.

Qualitative Testing

Card Sort Cognitive Walkthrough Field Study/ethnography Focus Groups Interview (structured, semi-structured,

unstructured) Prototypes

Informal Testing

Steve Krug “Do they get it?” Key Task Assignment One-on-one interviews Paper Prototypes

Usability Testing VA 2010

Prior ethnography – 5 site visits Small sample – 25 physicians or less Questionnaire – use analysis Semi-structured interviews Prototype Mock for walkthrough Task/time analysis

Summary PointsBringing it all Together

Back to the ILS

Definition of ILS is broad today and involves a number of interfaces you may have control over

The principles of usability are applicable to ILS Evaluation and Selection

User studies and testing can provide a means for solid feedback from end-users

User studies and testing can provide you with a set of heuristics for evaluation and selection of new ILS or development of ILS and/or web interface

There are employment opportunities in these fields