GIS web site usability test results
Site tested: http://libraries.mit.edu/gis
Nicole Hennig, Web Manager
September 2002
The Test
8 users were tested. The test consisted of 9 questions, plus an open-ended question for comments.
Results Summary:
The following is a draft of the observed problems and brainstormed solutions from a meeting on Sept. 4, 2002. The solutions will be implemented sometime during September.
All 8 testers found the answers to all 9 questions, with the exception of 1 person who did not find #7 or #8, and another person did not find #1.
Problem Solution question 1:
- thought "people" link would get him help
- "contact us" link should stand out more-add "contact us" link as permanent last headline on home page
- consider moving headlines to side instead of top of home page
- change "people" link to "Faculty + Others"question 2:
- users thought links would take them to pages that told them about how to download software- not sure how to get software
- change page to list of software, each title should link to 2nd page that describes how to get it
- get rid of chart format
- divide page into sections, one for software available through MIT and one for other software projects
question 3:
- not clear on "in the libraries" vs. "on the web"- people don't understand that you have to come t the libraries to use CD-ROMs
- change to "Spatial Data on CD-ROMs"
question 4:
-should not have to uzip files: don't use Powerpoint
- items in content not linked, have to go to sidebar
- convert Powerpoint to PDF version and to HTML version
- training/index.html
change bold headings to links- change software + hardware to just software
overall problem for all questions:
- in sidebar, no cue to show you which page you're on, all links look the same
- use of + and - instead of bullets is confusing- pages don't have standard format for how they are named
- remove SSIs, un-link the page you're currently on
- put subcategories right up under the category, don't leave blank line between- use * or • for bullets
- standarize names of pages, like this:
training: overview
training: basics
(apply this to all pages of site)
question 5:
- it's not clear what data libraries own- not a web issue
- people don't understand that some things aren't on the web
question 6:
- the Research category name is confusing, not sure what would be in it
- looked for "courses" as a word
- thought there should be EAPS link
- when looking for courses, clicked on link to Architecture dept. first- change broad category of "research" to "Teaching + Learning", make broad category of "Training" a sub-category of it, called "Tutorials"
- remove long, wordy paragraph on this page: research/teaching.html
- add headings to break into 2 sections:
GIS classes offered at MIT
IAP courses (non-credit)- add course numbers to course names
- link to websis for all classes
- remove whole last paragraph (containing lab exercises link)- new subcategory names for "Teaching + Learning"
Research becomes Projects
Teaching becomes Courses + Workshops
Facilities (remove it)
People becomes Faculty + Others
and add:
Tutorials
question 7:
- unclear GIS is part of Rotch Library, didn't understand how hours are presented- confusion between hours for GIS Lab or hours for GIS Assistance or Rotch open hours
- put Rotch hours right on the page and keep up to date when hours change each semester
- change "mission" to "overview" - put on its own separate page, add heading:
How we can help you
(instead of calling it "mission")question 8:
- links in sidebar have names too similar to main headings (software/hardware)- found sidebars confusing
- get rid of hardware, call it software
- change training to tutorials and put under "teaching + learning" (see above)
question 9:
- tester was looking for a page that said "faculty," not "people"- inconsistent links to faculty web pages or email addresses
- change name to "faculty"
- change links:
Name [web page] [email link]- remove "dept. of"
- remove double bullets
additional comments:
- add new page listing where scanners and printers are, called "Hardware"