Defining Usability How Library Practice Differs from Published Research

Authors

Yu-Hui Chen, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Carol Anne Germain, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow
Abebe Rorissa, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2011

DOI

10.1353/pla.2011.0020

Abstract

Library/information science professionals need a clearly articulated definition of usability/ Web usability to implement intuitive websites. In this study, the authors analyzed usability definitions provided by the ARL library professionals and those found in the library/information science and computer science-information systems literature. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to identify similarities and differences between the attributes emphasized by the two sets of definitions based on information behavior models and human-computer interaction (HCI) frameworks. Results indicated that both groups overlooked critical usability elements, such as environment and information objects/content/resources. Thus, the authors proposed a working, multi-faceted definition that presents a holistic view of usability.

Comments

Copyright © 2011 Johns Hopkins University Press. This article first appeared in PORTAL: LIBRARIES AND THE ACADEMY, Volume 11, Issue 2, April, 2011, pages 599-628.

Recommended Citation

Chen, Yu-Hui; Germain, Carol Anne; and Rorissa, Abebe, "Defining Usability How Library Practice Differs from Published Research" (2011). Information Science Faculty Scholarship. 4.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/dis_fac_scholar/4