LIBRARY WEBSITE HOMEPAGE FOCUS GROUP STUDY REPORT. Submitted by Dana M. Smith Usability GRA, Library Systems Office

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1 LIBRARY WEBSITE HOMEPAGE FOCUS GROUP STUDY REPORT Submitted by Dana M. Smith Usability GRA, Library Systems Office

2 CONTACT INFORMATION: For more information about this report, please contact: Dana Smith Usability GRA, Library Systems Office Georgia State University Library Doug Goans Web Development Librarian Georgia State University Library 100 Decatur Street, SE Library North Office 59 Atlanta, GA CHANGE HISTORY: Issue Date Description of Changes Submission of initial report to Doug Goans 1/15/003 Smith,

3 Contents Abstract... 4 Background... 5 Method of Inquiry... 6 Inquiry Results... 8 Conclusions Future Recommendations Appendix A. GSU Library Website Home Pages Appendix B. Focus Group Study Forms Appendix C. Library Website Homepage Prototypes /15/003 Smith, 3

4 Abstract The purpose of this document is to discuss the GSU Library Website Homepage Focus Group Study conducted on Friday, December 5 th, 003. library website users participated across 3 focus group sessions held to discuss the current homepage design and 4 new prototype designs. Graphics of the current homepage and 4 prototypes are located in Appendix C. The focus group results in this report outline basic demographic information gathered using a pre-session questionnaire and comments recorded (via notes and video) during the sessions. Copies of the participant consent form and questionnaire are located in Appendix B. The conclusions drawn from analysis of the result support the following: There are too many choices offered on the current design. The graphics for Galileo, GIL, Find Databases, and ejournals are highly recognized and valued. GSU library website users are drawn to graphics and color first. GSU library website users would appreciate more user-centered (student) features. GSU library website users are enthusiastic and receptive about a new homepage design. Future recommendations for the re-design of the GSU Library website homepage referenced from Jacob Nielsen (Website Usability Expert, are also listed. 1/15/003 Smith, 4

5 Background The GSU Library Web Development Team is committed to a user-centered approach in the design, evolution, and implementation of future iterations of the library s website. In order to accomplish this approach, web usability of the current site must be evaluated to determine areas for design improvements and increased user satisfaction. The first area of the library website to investigate is the homepage. The library homepage is one of the most frequently viewed pages on the website. The homepage is the library s face to GSU, the state of Georgia, and the world. Even if users follow links from search engines and other websites to arrive within the library website, they will eventually go to the homepage. It serves as a portal of crucial tools for our faculty, staff, and student body. The library homepage is also a communication vehicle; alumni, potential students, academic researchers, and contributors look at GSU library s online presence to determine resourcefulness and reliability of services offered. For these reasons, it is important to determine if it is serving our audience needs and providing a pleasant user experience. 1/15/003 Smith, 5

6 Method of Inquiry Common web usability inquiry methods include heuristic evaluation, observation, review of peer institution sites, focus groups, online surveys, log file analysis, competitive analysis, user needs analysis, user testing, and literature reviews. A focus group was selected to review the current homepage at this time. A focus group is a carefully planned discussion designed to obtain perceptions on a defined area of interest. It is conducted with approximately 7 to 10 people by a skilled facilitator. The discussion is comfortable and often enjoyable for participants as they share their ideas and perceptions. The role of this focus group was to discover what users want from the GSU library homepage, their thoughts of the current homepage design, and reaction/suggestions regarding the 4 new prototype designs. The current homepage design is located in Appendix A; the 4 prototype designs are in Appendix C. The topics for discussion were as follows: Regarding the current homepage design- What are the top 3 links you use most often on the GSU Library Homepage? What topics catch your eye first on the homepage as designed now? What do you like about the homepage design now? What don t you like about the homepage design now, and what do you think can be done to improve it? Regarding the new prototype designs- Which design (out of 4) do you prefer most and why? Which design do you prefer the least and why? What topics catch your eye first on your preferred design? What don t you like about the new designs and what do you think can be done to improve them? GSU IRB approval for the Library Home Page Focus Group Study was granted on November 5 th. The focus group sessions were scheduled for December 5 th in the Large Group Study Room on nd Floor, Library North. Three sessions were offered at the following times: (1) 9:00-10:30 am () 1:00 -:30 pm (3) 4:00-5:30 pm 1/15/003 Smith, 6

7 Each session was targeted to include 1 participants, for a total of 36. A target of 0 undergraduate students, 10 graduate students, and 6 faculty members was set. Each participant would receive refreshments and a $5 GSU Panthercard applied credit for their time. Participants were recruited from survey classes (students also received extra credit for participating), graduate listservs, notices on the library homepage, signs placed in the library, and word of mouth. The following agenda was designed to conduct the individual focus group sessions: 1. Sign-in, Refreshments, Completion of Consent form and Questionnaire 15 minutes. Welcome and Introductory Remarks 5 minutes 3. Participant Introductions 10 minutes 4. Group Discussion of Topics 50 minutes 5. Open Discussion 5 minutes 6. Concluding Remarks 5 minutes A copy of the consent form, questionnaire and facilitator agenda are located in Appendix B of this report. Acknowledgements: Dana Smith served as the facilitator for the focus group sessions and authored this report. Doug Goans and Dana Smith served as Principal Investigators for this report. Lyn Thaxton and Tammy Sugarman recruited many of the undergraduate student participants. Jake Houle, Sarah McCrea, Karen Hopkins, Denita Hampton-Lanham, Jim Cochran, and Mohammad Gharib helped reserve the room, acquired tables and props, wrote PR materials, printed and posted flyers, assisted with the $5 credit on PantherCards, and with video recording and setup. Laura Burtle, Jake Houle and Doug Goans also provided advisement, expertise, and input on the project overall. 1/15/003 Smith, 7

8 Inquiry Results The GSU Library Website Homepage Focus Group Study took place as scheduled on Friday, December 5 th, 003. The number of participants was, consisting of 1 students and 1 faculty member. Results were gathered using a questionnaire and note taking during the session by the facilitator. The sessions were also videotaped for review later. The following is a summary of the average participant, based on the results gathered from the pre-session questionnaire: Average age between 18-5 Undergraduate student Daily Internet user Comfortable with using Internet (self rating Intermediate to Expert) Top 3 Online Activities: , Research, and News The following data is displayed across all three sessions (note: Series 1 = 9:00 am, Series = 1:00 pm, Series 3 = 4:00 pm): Age # of Responses Series1 Series Series3 1/15/003 Smith, 8

9 Gender # of Responses male female Series1 Series Series3 Student Status # of Responses freshman sophomore junior senior grad student Series1 Series Series3 Faculty Status # of Responses Series1 Series Series3 0 assistant associate 1/15/003 Smith, 9

10 Major/School 1 5 MPS UPS Comm Psych Comp Sci no response LAS/psych CIS Econ undecided MLM Journalism HR Online Frequency # of Responses Series1 Series Series3 0 daily weekly monthly Internet Proficiency # of Responses beginner intermediate advanced Series1 Series Series3 1/15/003 Smith, 10

11 Online Activities chat banking travel research music shopping news listserv stocks education games Preferred Computer Platform # of Responses Series1 Series Series3 0 mac windows unix other The following are responses given to the topic questions (note regular text is a summary; italicized text refers to participant quotes). The responses are not ranked in any order unless otherwise indicated. 1. What are the top 3 links you use most often on the GSU Library Homepage? Galileo, GIL, List of Databases ejournals, Course Reserves, Research Guides Hours, WebCt & GSU Home (if accessed at Library computer) Renewals, Off Campus Access Info 1/15/003 Smith, 11

12 . What topics catch your eye first on the homepage as designed now? GSU Logo & Masthead, 4 Main Icons (Galileo, GIL, Find Databases, and ejournals) Left hand navigation; SFX@GSU (although few had used the service, or knew what it meant; some thought it was a pop up ad) 3. What do you like about the homepage design now? GSU Logo & Masthead; color scheme; most popular links/tasks right in front of you Centered alignment; icons include additional text; simple I don t like the site at all, but I HAVE to use it I like the quick access to GSU home, Go Solar, & WebCt Text only option is good, but how different is it from that (current design)? 4. What don t you like about the homepage design now, and what do you think can be done to improve it? Too crowded, very intimidating to first time user, too many choices News & Events is too large (as opposed to everything else on page); a news ticker would be better. Should feature pictures and graphics; site is too plain, should use color to emphasize/bring out areas Does not strike me as a home page, not inviting enough Thought Galileo was library home page (at first); this page just confused me All the underlined text links in the center give me a headache; use bullets and double space Drop nd half of left navigation; I ve never looked at Intranet, Building Security, or Give a Gift Most of News & Events doesn t concern me; world news or CNN headlines would be better 5. Which prototype design (out of 4) do you prefer most and why? Session 1: # for the use of space; simple, clean design; color scheme (dark background/light text) #4 for the picture; simplified and prominent (red) navigation. 1/15/003 Smith, 1

13 Session : #3 for more welcoming home page feel; placement of Quick Links & Search features; use of white space. #4 for the size of pictures, large font, color scheme (especially red) Session 3: # for the masthead/logo colors & design; professional look; color scheme (dark background/light text) #3 for user-friendliness, less clutter; more pictures and colors All of them are improvements (on current design); Did you know what we were going to say (first half of focus group)? I don t like any of them; the 4 icons are missing and that s what I use most They look better (than current design), but they won t load fast on my dial-up (modem) at home. Stick with the original! 6. Which prototype design do you prefer the least and why? Session 1: Session : Session 3: #3 because there is too much white; looks simple, unsophisticated; no structure #4 because too much clutter; pictures on bottom don t add to design; some alignment is off (top) #3 because links not visible; links are floating ; does not look like a university website The pictures on the bottom (#4) are distracting, what do they do? The b/w pictures (#4) look dated The library pic on #3 looks unfinished The language on #3 talks down to me 7. What topics catch your eye first on your preferred prototype design? Session 1: #: Picture (rendering) #4: Red left navigation section, and pictures (rendering & bottom strip) Session : #3: Picture (rendering), GSU masthead/logo, and Quick Links & Search #4: Red left navigation section, large pic 1/15/003 Smith, 13

14 Session 3: #: Text (light on dark background), picture #3: Picture; Quick Links & Search 8. What don t you like about the new prototype designs, and what do you think can be done to improve them? The color scheme on # is great; #1 looks too close to original design. The renderings on #1 and # look like advertisements. They are propaganda sites. News & Events section is still too big! Who reads that stuff? Replace News & Events on # with Red Nav bar from #4 Don t get rid of icons! Quick Links is good, but I have to learn that icons I know. The Galileo icon used on #3 &#4 more than other (icon) A to Z indexes never have what I am looking for make sure the topics are good Put library hours on homepage so I don t have to search for it all the time There is no text-only option on the prototypes, (it) needs to be added Drop down on # is good, but don t hide link underneath Keep the WebCt, GoSolar & GSU like original Those pictures (#4) are a mystery maybe if the pics were links or something relevant. How do I use the library website section would be helpful there are way too many things (to do) General comments (open floor) If you change the (library website) design, do it over the summer. Don t do it in the middle of the semester! Whenever I use the password on my college ID, I pick the wrong numbers. A graphic on the site would be helpful If all the university websites looked similar, then it wouldn t be so confusing. The residential webpage is cool The GSU main homepage is so boring pictures are dated it needs a redesign. 1/15/003 Smith, 14

15 Conclusions The following conclusions can be drawn from the focus group data collected: There are too many choices offered on the current design. Most of the participants said this, in spite of being comfortable with using the Internet and using the GSU library website (in particular) regularly. This means they don t know how to use the site functions and features, but they can t make choices (based on importance or value) based on the absence of visual hierarchy on the home page. The following graphics are highly recognized and valued by GSU students and faculty: These could possibly be altered (design and color wise), but should NOT BE REMOVED from the home page. Participants liked the idea of Quick Links drop down on the prototypes once it was pointed out to them. Many were looking (or scanning) for the icons. GSU library website users are drawn to graphics and color for navigation and distinguishing between topic sections on pages. Icons, navigation bars, text contrast with background color, and background color on sections were repeatedly mentioned as positive features on the current design and prototypes. GSU library website users are using it because they HAVE to (for classes and research), but would appreciate more user-centered (student) features. News & events specific to students and faculty, library hours as part of the masthead/logo section, and appealing graphics would go a long way. Most participants suggested the majority of News & Events would be appropriate for library administration and staff; a news ticker would be appropriate for students. GSU library website users are enthusiastic and receptive about a new design, as long as it is user-friendly and enhances their ability to get their work done in a timely fashion. Their design preferences lean toward a more sophisticated look that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and quick to download (regardless of connection speed). 1/15/003 Smith, 15

16 Future Recommendations The following design suggestions (adapted from Jacob Nielson, Website Usability Expert, Top 10 Guidelines for Webpage Usability, 05/1/0, available at ) are also recommended: 1. Include a One-Sentence Tagline. This should explain briefly the mission of GSU Library, and tell users what they ll gain from visiting the site. This would be more welcoming and indicative of a home page design.. Emphasize the Site's Top High-Priority Tasks. Your homepage should offer users a clear starting point for the main one to four tasks they'll undertake when visiting your site. This is accomplished with the 4 graphics for the following: Galileo, GIL, Find Databases, and ejournals. 3. Make the Search Input Box at least 5 characters wide, so it can accommodate multiple words without obscuring parts of the user's query. Participants liked this new feature on the prototypes. It should be clear that the Search is limited to the Library website only. 4. Don't include an active link to the homepage on the homepage. Many participants thought the home page link (although obscured by the drop down menu) on Prototype #1 and # would take them to GSU s main home page. 5. Begin Link Names with the Most Important Keyword. This would be applied to the Quick Links dropdown menu. This makes it easier for users to scan. 6. Don't Over-Format Critical Content, Such as Navigation Areas. Simple illustrations, boxes, and colors are most helpful; excessive use of underlines is not. Also, users often dismiss elaborate graphics as ads (such SFX@GSU). 7. Use Meaningful Graphics. All participants appreciated the use of graphics and pictures, as long as it was enhancing or reinforcing a message. The pictures at the bottom of Prototype #4 were overwhelmingly seen as distracting. 1/15/003 Smith, 16

17 Appendix A. GSU Library Website Home Pages June 000: December 000: 1/15/003 Smith, 17

18 November 003 (current design used for Focus Group Sessions): 1/15/003 Smith, 18

19 Appendix B. Focus Group Study Forms 1/15/003 Smith, 19

20 Appendix C. Library Website Homepage Prototypes Prototype 1: 1/15/003 Smith, 0

21 Prototype : 1/15/003 Smith, 1

22 Prototype 3: 1/15/003 Smith,

23 Prototype 4: 1/15/003 Smith, 3