Website Evaluation
Due: 1:00pm on the due dates specified in the course Tentative Schedule.
Value: 20%
An important part of web design for usability is to evaluate websites against information
architecture (IA) theory and Web usability principles in order to
identify usability problems as well as features
that
enhance usability. This assignment is designed to help enhance your
understanding of major
topics of this course through an evaluation of example
websites.
This assignment relates to course objectives #1 to #4, and to SLO 2.
Requirements:
You will first choose a library and information services (LIS) related website that you plan to
evaluate
(e.g., websites of libraries, LIS schools, LIS professional
associations, museams, information services, etc.). You will then
identify 10 IA and usability principles that are most important for effective
websites of this type, and justify your decision on the principles. You
will finally evaluate your chosen website
against these principles in terms of how it does in terms of each of
these principles.
Write a report of 1000 - 1200 words presented as a webpage (i.e., an HTML file) uploaded to your U of A web space. The webpage should not violate basic usability principles (e.g., proper contrast and font).
Please note the following.
- There should be a close connection
between the usability principles identified and the evaluation of
the websites applying these principles.
- Do NOT use blogs or websites dominated by user-generated content,
and try to avoid very bad or very simple websites because you tend to
learn more by evaluating good websites or websites that happen to
violate some of the IA principles you are working with but are still
good overall.
- Be specific in your discussion and avoid being too generic (e.g., by using examples from the websites you evaluate to support or illustrate your claims or statements).
- Your writing should be a coherent narrative with proper headings
to help show the structure of your work. Using too many headings and
bullets would make your work feel fragmented and less coherent.
- Stay within the word limit (1000 - 1200).
Submission:
Email the URL of your work to the instructor by 1:00pm on the due date.
General Evaluation Criteria (tentative):
- Understanding of concepts;
- Identification and justification of important IA and Web usability principles for your chosen type of websites;
- Application of identified principles in the evaluation of your website;
- Demonstrated critical thinking;
- Attention to the requirements of the assignment.
