Abstract #301362

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JSM 2002 Abstract #301362
Activity Number: 319
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Section on Quality & Productivity*
Abstract - #301362
Title: A Usability Evaluation of Key Parts of Census.Gov
Author(s): Erica Olmsted*+ and Kent Marquis
Affiliation(s): U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Census Bureau
Address: 4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, District of Columbia, 20233-9100, U.S.A.
Keywords: Information Web Sites ; User Profiles ; Usability ; Eyetracking
Abstract:

The information Web sites of the federal statistical agencies are now serving a broader range of users, compared to conventional paper publications of a few years ago. Who are these users, why are they coming to these sites, and are they able to get what they want? The aim of this study was to identify the major classes of users, their goals and to uncover the major usability problems in five key parts of the U.S. Census Bureau's Web site. Interns and Census staff analyzed the existing sites, created typical user and task profiles, set usability goals for user accuracy, efficiency, and subjective satisfaction, recruited users and conducted the tests, which included preliminary eyetracking, videotaping each usability session, logging detailed time-based notes, having users perform typical tasks, and obtaining user satisfaction ratings.

The results indicate several common usability shortcomings on the sites. They were: inadequate navigation schemes, excessive use of jargon, and problems with the way information is displayed. This paper discusses reasons for these common problems and possible remedies, including insights from eyetracking results.

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