Combining Concurrent and Sequential Methods to Examine the Usability and Readability of Websites With Information About Medicines

Donald J. Nicolson; Peter Knapp; Peter Gardner; David K. Raynor

doi:10.1177/1558689810385694

Combining Concurrent and Sequential Methods to Examine the Usability and Readability of Websites With Information About Medicines

Donald J. Nicolson, Peter Knapp, Peter Gardner, David K. Raynor

The Hull York Medical School

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Research of websites with information about medicines has not previously taken sufficient account of the design aspects that may affect user's interacting with the site. This explanatory study combined four concurrent usability methods (user testing, think aloud protocol, observation, and tracking the participant's online actions), with a sequential interview to examine five websites. Site design and content were found to obstruct participants' attempts to locate specific information on the web pages. Draft evidence-based design recommendations were derived which, if implemented, could improve the usability of the websites and the readability of their content. Combining concurrent and sequential methods is probably a novel approach for mixed methods and provides a good base on which future mixed methods could be based.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	25-51
Number of pages	27
Journal	Journal of Mixed Methods Research
Volume	5
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689810385694
Publication status	Published - Jan 2011

Keywords

concurrent mixed methods
sequential mixed methods
usability research
user testing
Internet-based medicines information
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
THINK
FRAMEWORK

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10.1177/1558689810385694

Cite this

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abstract = "Research of websites with information about medicines has not previously taken sufficient account of the design aspects that may affect user's interacting with the site. This explanatory study combined four concurrent usability methods (user testing, think aloud protocol, observation, and tracking the participant's online actions), with a sequential interview to examine five websites. Site design and content were found to obstruct participants' attempts to locate specific information on the web pages. Draft evidence-based design recommendations were derived which, if implemented, could improve the usability of the websites and the readability of their content. Combining concurrent and sequential methods is probably a novel approach for mixed methods and provides a good base on which future mixed methods could be based.",

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Combining Concurrent and Sequential Methods to Examine the Usability and Readability of Websites With Information About Medicines

Abstract

Keywords

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