In today’s world, the use of online research tools is inevitable; students, as well researchers, are taking to the internet to look for information. As a result, a lot of information is finding its way into online databases in order to satisfy this need. As the number of online information databases increases, there is need to consider the end-user in information organisation.
All information systems should have in mind the end-user. The end-user is crucial in database design and development because he/she provides a judgement based on his/her interaction with the database. In most cases, users expect to find the relevant information with the shortest time possible. Failure to provide relevant information within the first two pages of search results leads to the perception that the search tool is not useful (Bell, 2008). To avoid this negative perception, database developers need to understand searching behaviour.
A study into web-based searching behaviour reveals that there are four main categories of information searching (Edwards & Bruce, 2006). Understanding these categories enables organisers of information systems to refine the structure of information environment and design their tools with the end-user in mind. For example, if the information system is for people with little IT confidence, the emphasis should be on the topic because the end-user looks for “a needle in a haystack.” To this user, the information tool does not matter; what matters is the index of the required information (Edwards & Bruce, 2006).
However, it is essential to determine the category of users the information database targets, and come up with modification means to serve that category well instead of chasing all the user categories and failing to serve any of them to satisfaction. Above all, the information database has to be user-friendly.
After looking at three local council websites (Melbourne, Hobart and Perth), it is evident that different websites prefer different information organisation means. The process largely depends on what the site considers important. However, the overall objective is still the same: the ability to convey essential information. The experience provides an insight into one of the keys areas that web developers take into consideration when designing a website: information architecture.
Information architecture is the process of organizing information so that it is findable, manageable and useful (Downey & Banerjee, 2010). Although every website has its own architecture checklist, it is essential to factor in navigation and easy retrieval of information in the design of websites. Apart from easy navigation and easy retrieval of information, websites also need to provide users with alternative information.
The issue of website architecture cannot be overstated. This is because user experience largely depends on the organisation of a website (Garrett, 2011). For example, after typing the words “pet ownership” in the search box of the three local council websites reviewed, all the three of them had different search results. However, only the City Council of Melbourne website had the relevant information concerning pet registration and buying a pet. The search results were few (only five), but the answers were refined. In order to find the relevant information in the other websites, the user has to gloss over the search results to find the most relevant
In terms of information organisation, the City Council of Melbourne website also has ranks highly. However, when it comes to the ability to find information related to the search, Hobart City Council website is better than the other sites because it provides many search results which provide the user with information about other pets as well.
Play
This week, I have to set up a Skype account first. After setting up the account, I will then organise with the rest of the group members to agree on a suitable date for holding a Skype group session. After settling on the appropriate date, I will then avail myself for the Skype group session through VoIP. The subject of the discussion will be assignment two, and the means to tackle it. However, the session will not necessarily be tied to assignment two only; any other pressing matters will also be discussed in the group session. I anticipate activities of the previous weeks to come up during the course of the discussion as well as varying reflections on the course assignments and tasks. During the course of the discussion, I will take snapshots of the Skype session and post my thoughts onto my blog along with the screenshots.
Reflection
Recent advances in technology have made it possible for people to communicate using remote devices. Libraries have not been left behind in this technology push, and they are now providing students with internet-based digital references to assist them in seeking information over the internet. Although many libraries now use instant messaging services and VoIP reference services, the user experience varies greatly.
While some students are free when asking questions to be answered by online librarians, others feel that online question-answering by librarians does not feel the personal touch provided during face to face interaction. In addition, some students find the literacy training required to navigate online information sources to be challenging. However, this does not necessarily have to be the case because what internet-based digital references provide is a quick means to achieve the same objectives as when using face to face interactions.
However, it is logical to assume that different users have different expectations when using internet-based digital references. Nevertheless, it is essential to manage user expectation in order to develop a successful digital reference experience (Mon, 2006). For example, students need to understand that the process may not be as instantaneous as they expect. A chat reply may take up to fifteen minutes, while an e-mail message may take up to 24 hours before a reply is provided. Imparting online etiquette is also another useful means to manage student expectations (Mon, 2006). When online-based digital references are used, the students must not forget to cite them appropriately. All these mechanisms not only promote successful online interactions, but also ensure that the student’s skills in navigating online information and using internet-based digital references are improved (Mon, 2006).
Play
The use of social network sites as a marketing tool cannot be gainsaid. The high number of people joining several social network sites means that organisations now have an opportunity to reach out to potential clients and stakeholders in ways that could not be imagined a decade ago. A good example of an organisation involved in using social network sites to promote itself is GraphiCon Davao (https://www.facebook.com/GraphiConDavao/info). The organisation shares information through selected Facebook pages (such as Information programs 2012) to inform people on upcoming events, and how people can take part in the events. However, GraphiCon Davao can improve its quest to promote itself through the use of search engine optimization techniques which increase the chances of appearing among the top search results.
Reflection
Social networking is one of the most recent phenomena; it is less than two decades old. However, in the last couple of years, Facebook has dominated the social network sites industry. The reason for Facebook’s success is not because its idea was the most unique, but due to the fact that the execution of its idea was brilliant (Boyd & Elision, 2007). Before Facebook came into the picture, MySpace was already in existence. However, MySpace dropped off when Facebook came into the picture.
Among the several factors that contributed to Facebook overtaking MySpace include the site’s user-friendliness, ease of use and ease of navigation. As Facebook was positioning itself, MySpace was still stuck to the idea of subscription; in short, MySpace was not responsive to the changing consumer tastes and trends. As a result, MySpace was soon playing catch up to Facebook.
When Google + was developed, some people thought that it would replace Facebook as the number one social network site of choice. However, this prediction has not come to pass. First of all, Google + does not match the ease of use provided by Facebook. Most mobile phones with internet provide access to Facebook. The same thing cannot be said about Google +. Although a good number of people using Gmail register with Google +, only a small size use it as a social network site.
The only social network site which can currently threaten the existence of Facebook is Twitter. This is because Twitter also has a relatively user-friendly interface, and is easy to navigate through. However, in terms of numbers, Twitter has not attained the number of clients Facebook has. As a result, as of now, Facebook killer has not yet come up.
References
Bell, S. (2008) Design thinking. Retrieved from
http://stevenbell.info/pdfs/ALdesignarticle.pdf
Boyd, Danah & Elision, Nicole. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history and
scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. Retrieved from:
http://www.postgradolinguistica.ucv.cl/dev/documentos/90,889,Social_network_boy
_2007.pdf
Downey, L. & Banerjee, S. (2010). Building an information architecture checklist. Journal of
Information Architecture, 2(2). Retrieved
Edwards, Sylvia L. & Bruce, Christine S. (2006). Panning for gold: understanding students
Information searching experiences. In Transforming IT Education: Promoting a
culture of excellence. Informing Science Press, Santa Rosa
California. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/990/
Garrett, J.J. (2011). Information Architecture in The Elements of User Experience: User
Centred Design for the Web and beyond, 2nd edition, pp.88-101.
Mon, Lori. (2006). Digital references and ubiquitous computing in the classroom. Knowledge
Quest. 34 (3), 20-23. Retrieved from:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?rep=rep1&type=pdf&doi=10.1.1.131.
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