Open AccessInforming design and assessment: A usability case study of the harvard catalyst website for researchers
Author(s) -
Tang Rong,
Cervone Maria,
Ulrich Thomas
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
proceedings of the american society for information science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1550-8390
pISSN - 0044-7870
DOI - 10.1002/meet.2011.14504801258
Subject(s) - usability , computer science , web usability , focus group , world wide web , perception , focus (optics) , human–computer interaction , psychology , physics , marketing , neuroscience , optics , business
In this poster, we report the results of a two‐part collaborative usability case study of a website supporting the needs of clinical and translational (C/T) researchers. Usability testing and focus group sessions provided qualitative and quantitative data on researcher needs and their perception of the usefulness and ease of use of tools. Specific challenges were identified in navigation and nomenclature that were impeding users' ability to complete their tasks as well as their awareness of the depth of services provided. The results revealed consistent patterns in site usage and navigation structure, which served as the basis for implementing some quick fixes as well as a longer‐term major refresh of the website design. Scholars, practitioners, and developers may benefit from the findings on user needs when designing and implementing websites supporting biomedical researchers.