information architecture & usability for the systems librarian
DESCRIPTION
This is an introductory presentation on Information Architecture and usability concepts for the systems librarian. It designed as an overview as well as a justification for the application of these concepts in the library science field - specifically in ILS evaluation and selection.TRANSCRIPT
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