UW Libraries - Usability by subjects video summary

Usability study video summary on the subject pages

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Usability Study Method

Goal: To help beginning researchers find resources in their field
Subjects: 8 Undergrads, 2 Grads, and 1 Professor
Tasks: Use the subject pages to find resources for typical assignments
- For Undergrad: You are in Psych 101, find a resource
  See full list
- For Experts: Advanced task appropriate to field
  See full list: History | Forestry

Subject Page Changes

Replaced Subject Hierarchy with Two-Column A-Z List
- Hierarchy | A-Z List
Added Highlighted Resources to Each Subject Page
- Without Highlighted Resources
- With Highlighted Resources
Changed 'By Subject' to 'Browse Subjects'

Major Findings

Users Prefer A-Z List Over Hierarchy
- Users found it relatively easy to scan a long list for a specific subject
  video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
  - They are accustomed to scanning link lists for the word they want
- They found it difficult to choose at the top level of the hierarchy
  video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
  - They were uncertain where they might find their specific subject
Users Succeeded When Using Highlighted Resources
- Users found pertinent information more efficiently and happily
  video: 1 | 2 | 3
  - Even outside their field of expertise
    video: 1
- Users found a higher quality of information more frequently
  video: 1 | 2 | 3
- Users experienced less frustration and confusion when using highlighted resources
  - Users trusted they were on right path
    video: 1 | 2 | 3
Users Are More Likely to Use ‘Best Bets’ Than ‘Core Resources’
- Many users didn’t notice the ‘Core Resources’
  video: 1 | 2
  - These users were often those in most need of research guidance – the target audience for the highlighted resources
  - They struggled while reading descriptions on the ‘Finding Articles’ pages – with mixed results
    video: 1 | 2 | 3
- Changes were made part way through the usability study
  - Best Bets’ replaced ‘Core Resources’
    video: 1
  - Stars were used to mark ‘Best Bets’
    video: 1
- Users were more likely to click on ‘Best Bets’ because of the user-friendly heading and visual prominence
  video: 1 | 2
Changes Did Not Adversely Affect Experienced Users
- Experienced researchers preferred established research routines
  video: 1 | 2 | 3
  - Used bookmarks instead of Subject pages
- Experienced researchers were not distracted by highlighted resources
- When outside of their field, experienced researchers found the highlighted resources to be helpful
  video: 1
Users Slightly Preferred ‘Browse Subjects’ to ‘By Subject’
- Users were familiar with ‘Browse’
  - This verb, commonly used on Web, made the action of the link more obvious
    video: 1
- Wording made it clear that they were browsing outside of the UW Catalog
  - No confusion with keyword search, LC Subject
- These opinions were not particularly strong
  video: 1

Recommendations

Replace Hierarchy with A-Z List
Add Highlighted Resources to Each Subject Page
Use ‘Best Bets’ and Star Icon to Mark These Resources
Consider Changing ‘By Subject’ to ‘Browse Subjects’