An Exploration of a Website Design Process and Results of a Usability Study

Med Ref Serv Q. 2019 Jan-Mar;38(1):56-69. doi: 10.1080/02763869.2019.1548898.

Abstract

A transition of content management systems provided Kornhauser Health Sciences Library with an opportunity to redesign the library's website to be more user-friendly, efficient, and visually appealing. A multistage approach was taken: (1) informal interviews of various stakeholders from the library, (2) a redesign using information gained from those stakeholders, and (3) a retrospective comparative usability study. This study was conducted with the goal to inform library staff whether the redesigned website improved accuracy and efficiency of information retrieval through the completion of timed tasks. In addition, user satisfaction was measured through guided interview questions.

Keywords: Usability; website design.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / methods*
  • Information Storage and Retrieval / statistics & numerical data*
  • Internet*
  • Kentucky
  • Libraries, Medical / organization & administration*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • User-Computer Interface*