Client Presentation
Methods
interviews / survey / card sort / usability test
Tools
Jamboard / Qualtrics / PowerPoint
With this project, I worked with a group of UX designers gathering research for the MSU Libraries website.
What we were asked to do:
- Collect, analyze, and synthesize data through a variety of research methods
- Provide recommendations in redesigning the MSU Libraries main website
- Incorporate previous research and data provided by the MSU Libraries UX unit
Improving User Satisfaction for the MSU Libraries Website
Our research objectives:
- Find out who uses the MSU Libraries website
- Learn about their experiences with it
- Gather more in-depth data on usability, accessibility, and user thoughts and perceptions
- Remember: Simple, Accessible, Easy to Navigate, Easy to Find Information, and Sustainable
Strategy
For each research method we used, I collaborated with my team to develop a unique protocol, consent form, user profile, and objectives. I contributed to formulating and conducting the interviews, as well as holding a usability test and participating in a card sort. The data collected from each method was intended to inform our approach for the next.
An Iterative Research Process
Before beginning each research initiative, my team and I defined our research objectives and specified our user profile, which helped us shape our materials and approach. Our roles changed with each method we utilized, giving each of us the chance to uncover new insights in different areas. Once data collection was completed, we analyzed the results, reflected on our findings, and planned our next steps accordingly.
Interviews | MSU Libraries Staff
Goal
Gather initial findings about users’ thoughts, perceptions, and experiences of the MSU Library website
Process
Remote interview
Questions
Frequency of use
Goals and motivations
Resources used often
Issues and helpful aspects
Findings
Frequency of Use
Almost daily
Important Features
Search Function
Ask a Librarian
Library Catalogue
Libguides
Events
Common Uses
Frequently research in the database and edit/retrieve content
Frustrations
Website is very busy and lack of direction
Survey | Undergraduate Students (Website Users)
Goal
Obtain quantitative data about the sentiment towards the current libraries website
Process
Online survey with various multiple choice style questions
Findings
Most Critical Feature
Search
Appearance Rating
3.52/5
Ease of Access
2.73/5
Non-Website Users
48% of undergrads
Card Sort | Team Members
Goal
To find the pain point/s in the current collapsible menu for the navigation bar
Process
Used JamBoard to identify areas of concern and patterns with the current menu structure and navigational paths. Majority of the tabs were included and used in this process.
Findings
Ambiguous Topics
There were topics that could fit under multiple categories
Sorting Difficulties
It was challenging to organize such a vast amount of items
Unanimous Reassigning
Some topics were put under the wrong tab by all of us.
Items Correctly Placed (Out of 41)
13/41
Usability Test | Undergraduate Students
Goal
Observe user behaviors while using the current libraries website
Process
User is given a task to complete and we observe their behavior in their attempt to complete the task.
Findings
Longest Task
browsing navigation bar searching for appropriate link
Confusing Search Page Results
Made use of the search bar, but results seemed disorganized
FAQ Style Pages
FAQ stye pages were a bit difficult to navigate because of the way content was presented
Ask a Librarian
Confusion about what kinds of questions could be answered with Ask a Librarian
General Findings
Inconsistency
Inconsistency with page layouts proved frustrating for some users
Information Overload
Busy website is challenging to use for infrequent users
Website Usage
48% of students surveyed only use the library as a physical space to study (and not the website)
Search Function
The search function was ranked the most important feature
Confusing Navbar
Main navigation is too cluttered with ambiguous and confusing language
Our Recommendations
Simplify Navbar
Simplify main navigation bar - avoid duplicate links
Prioritize Search Function
Prioritize the search function on the home page
Consistent UI
Consistency with UI elements and page layouts
Accommodation
Website should be an extension of the physical library - accommodate infrequent users of the website
The Final Deliverable
Click the image below to view our full slide deck presented to MSU Libraries staff. The slides include an overview of our goals, user profiles, objectives, and findings for each research method as well as our final suggestions and recommendation mockups.Click the image below to view our full slide deck presented to MSU Libraries staff. The slides include an overview of our goals, user profiles, objectives, and findings for each research method as well as our final suggestions and recommendation mockups.
Takeaways
This exploration of various research methods gave me insight into how each one serves a particular purpose. Surveys help establish quantitative data, interviews give you a feeling of user sentiments, and card sorts provide a basis for the information architecture. There are countless ways to approach a research plan, but it is crucial to consider the structure of the methods you employ and the types of data you will gather from them.
Research is a gradual discovery process in which findings from one phase inform the approach to the next. Preliminary analysis is beneficial in this regard, as it helps result in a more in-depth cumulative analysis of the findings as a whole.