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Evaluating the information structure of a website about MRSA using the user-centred design method card sorting

Gillert, I.M. (2019) Evaluating the information structure of a website about MRSA using the user-centred design method card sorting.

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Abstract:Background: Since MRSA is a prevalent problem in cross border regions, the website www.mrsa-net.de/nl was designed to help tackling differences in care between the Netherlands and Germany. The content of the website consists of protocols for the contact with and treatment of patients with MRSA. A user-centred design approach was used in 2008 when the website got created. In 2015 the information architecture of the website got revaluated with the means of a card sort study. Since the mental models of users change over time, it has to be evaluated again whether the existing information structure of the website still meets the demands of its current users. Methods: An open online card sort was conducted with 17 German speaking health care professionals who represent potential future users of the website. For the card sort, the participants were provided with 50 items derived from the websites log data and asked to sort them into for themselves meaningful piles. Afterwards, they were asked to assign a representative label to each pile. On the bases of the provided data, a content analysis was conducted to gain insight into participants mental models, followed by a frequency analysis to draw a conclusion for the final placement of the items. Results: Frequency analysis confirmed that only 18 of the 50 items were in line with the mental models of the participants. For 21 items a better fitting category was found. For eleven of the items, a final placement could not be found due to ambiguous results. Conclusions: Validation of the need of an update of the information structure of the website was achieved, but future research needs to address the information architecture of the website periodically in order to maintain its best possible usability.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Clients:
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Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/78271
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