Website Usability Evaluation Report

Bournemouth University Website Usability Evaluation Report
Andrew James Kafumbata
S4928923
22nd May, 2017
I
Table of Contents
1.0. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. 1
1.1. Purpose of the website ………………………………………………….. 1
1.2. Key users of the website………………………………………………… 2
2.0. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………… 4
3.0. Methodology………………………………………………………………………. 6
3.1. Heuristic Evaluation ……………………………………………………… 6
3.2. Card Sorting ………………………………………………………………. 6
4.0. Results and Recommendation………………………………………………….. 7
4.1. Issues identified, Severity and Ease of Fix …………………………… 7
4.2. Issues Descriptions and Recommendation……………………………. 8
4.3. Analysis of Card Sorting……………………………………………….. 12
5.0. Revised Sitemap ……………………………………………………………….. 15
6.0. Screenshots of High Fidelity Design of Pages………………………………. 17
6.1. Homepage……………………………………………………………….. 17
6.2. Study page………………………………………………………………. 17
6.3. Search page …………………………………………………………….. 18
6.4. Staff page ……………………………………………………………….. 18
7.0. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………. 19
8.0. References ………………………………………………………………………. 19
9.0. Appendix…………………………………………………………………………. 20
9.1. Jakob Nielson 10 Heuristics …………………………………………… 20
9.2. Severity Rating …………………………………………………………. 21
9.3. Ease of Fix……………………………………………………………….. 21
1
1.0. Introduction
This report highlights some of the key findings from a usability test for
Bournemouth (BU) website. It further proposes new design recommendations
which, when implemented, could ensure that the website is user-centred and
delivers the best user experience.
Bournemouth University (BU) website (https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk)
serves as one of the ways the university disseminates its information to the
general public. The website was launched in 2014 and is managed by the BU
Digital Vision Steering Group.
1.1. Purpose of the website
The BU website was launched to provide information about:
 Various courses the university offers to prospective students, both
undergraduate and postgraduate including how to apply for them
and get admitted. Thus, an easy access to this information could
enable the university to recruit more new students, both local and
international, and allow it to expand its enrolment.
 Professional development training which the university offers to
various stakeholders. Some of these professional development
courses include; environmental law and social justice, green
technology and renewable energy and social media and
broadcasting.
 Research work the university undertakes in various areas such as
nutrition and computing.
 Student facilities such as accommodation, sports and health and
well-being.
 News and different invents happening on the campus, for example,
open days.
 Different collaborations between the university and other
stakeholders such as the communities, businesses, and alumni in
various areas such as community development.
 Job vacancies to prospective staff and placements to continuing
students.
2
1.2. Key users of the website
The BU website disseminates information to a number of key users. These
users are:
 Prospective students (undergraduate and postgraduate)
– Prospective students could use the website to request a
prospectus, browse and apply for the courses and check the
status of their applications. They could also use the website
to book accommodation, read university news and other
events happening on the campus. They could also access
information to do with different research work being
conducted by the university.
 Continuing students
– The website is not only useful to prospective students but
also continuing students. Continuing students use the
website mostly to access different services the university
offers to students such as the library. They could further use
the website to access information to do with career and
employability, accommodation, sports, different events
happening on the campus and university news.
 Prospective staffs
– The website disseminates information to the general public
about various vacancies available at the university in
different faculties or departments. Thus, prospective staff
could visit the website to look for these vacancies.
 Alumni
– The Alumni use the website to access information about
various alumni services offered by the university such
membership services and discounts. They could also use the
website to read university news and various events.
 Parents
– Parents could use the website to access information to do
with learning support for students with learning disability.
They could also help their children in the course application
process, read university news, access information about
parent guide to school fees, funding, and accommodation.
3