Library and Information Science Research

Library and Information Science Research

Usability Evaluation of the Central Library Websites of the Universities dominated by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Mohsen Nowkarizi 1
Tayebeh Abedini 2
1 Associate Prof., Library and Information Science department, Birjand University
2 Empoloyee of South Khorasan Public Library Foundation
10.22067/riis.v2i1.9345
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the usability of central libraries’ websites of universities subordinated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) from the students’ point of view.

Method: 30 universities had independent pages for their central library website. After making use of a two-stage cluster sampling method, 5 universities and 92 students from each university were chosen. Then, the students’ views on different usability components of the central libraries’ websites were studied.

Findings: The findings showed that, generally in the users’ opinion, the application of the usability components in the central libraries’ websites of universities subordinated to the MSRT was at an “average” state (between 40-60). ‘Content’ with 3.42 (about 57%) had the lowest and ‘user interface design’ with 3.5 (about 58.84%) had the highest mean score. There was a significant difference among the mean scores of the users’ judgments in using the usability aspects in an ideal state (80%). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed among the judgments of “different users from different grades”, “users having varied degrees of acquaintance with computer and the Internet” and “users with varied degrees of acquaintance with their central library’s website” on using the usability components of the central library websites of the chosen universities. However, no significant difference was observed between the judgments of “male or female users” or among the judgments of “users in different ages”.
Keywords
Website usability
University central library websites
Iranian Universities
MSRT
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Library and Information Science Research
Volume 2, Issue 2 - Serial Number 4
October 2011
Pages 137-158

  • Receive Date 07 August 2011