Testing The Usability Of The Stanford University Library's Cataloging Services Website

May 7, 2002

Abstract

Evaluates the usability of the Stanford University Libraries' Cataloging Services Department website, as it existed between June 2001 and March 2002, through analysis of staff use, usability testing, testing against common web design and disabilities access guidelines, and comparison against equivalent sites from other universities. Focuses on page design (home and interior) and navigation; suggests improvements in each area.

Contents

• Project Proposal
• Report
  • Introduction
  • Situation
  • Description of the Problem
  • Research Questions
  • Methods
  • Analysis of Staff Use
  • Analysis of Site Usability Against Common Web Design Standards
  • Page Design
  • Navigation
  • Disabilities Access
  • Welcome to SUL/AIR's Cataloging Services Department
  • Comparison to Other Equivalent Sites
  • Conclusions
  • Resources
  • Appendices.
    1. Directory Access, Jan. 2000-March 2002
    2. Usability Study Script
    3. Compendium of User Answers and Observations
    4. Checklist of Checkpoints for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Report
    5. Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards Report
    6. Equivalent Sites Analysis

Abbreviations Used

CS: SUL/AIR Cataloging Services Dept.

CS-WAG: Cataloging Services Web Advisory Group

IE: Internet Explorer

MARC: MARC Cataloging Unit, Cataloging Services Dept.

SU: Stanford University

SUL/AIR: Stanford Universities Libraries/Academic Information Resources

TS: SUL/AIR Technical Services