Usability and Gratifications--Towards a Website Analysis Model.
Ulla K. Bunz · 2001
This paper discusses Web site usability issues. Specifically, it assumes that the usability of a Web site depends more on the perception of the user than on the objectively assessable usability criteria of the Web site. Two pilot studies, based on theoretical notions of uses and gratifications theory and similar theories, are presented. In the first study, experts evaluated three Web sites on the national park, Mesa Verde, in a more formal approach based on criteria defined in the literature. In the second study, non-experts (eight undergraduate students in a Basic Communication course) evaluated the same three Web sites in a more informal and personal approach, using concurrent, or thinking aloud, verbal protocol methods. Results show that overall assessment of the Web sites differs between experts and non-experts. Specifically, overall the Web site assessed as worst by the experts was liked most by the non-experts. Cognitive and emotional needs as defined by uses and gratifications seemed to make more of a difference with regard to Web site use, and less with regard to Web site evaluation. Results from these studies provide the basis for a user-centered Web site analysis model that may make use of but not depend on usability criteria defined by the literature. (Contains 82 references, 7 Web sites used/quoted in footnotes, 4 notes, and 2 tables of data. The survey instrument is attached.) (Author/RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Website Analysis 1 Usability and Gratifications Towards a Website Analysis Model Ulla K. Bunz University of Kansas Presented at the 87t1 annual conference of the National Communication Association, Atlanta, GA, USA November, 2001 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 0 This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Contact: Ulla Bunz Communication Studies University of Kansas 1440 Jayhawk Blvd. Lawrence, KS 66045 Email: [email protected] Abstract PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BYPERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY