Project 4 White Paper

Usability of Online University
Websites
March 24, 2019

Maddy Rivera
English 317 ~ Technical Writing
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Environment ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Criteria ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Rating Scale ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 3
Results .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Task 1 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Task 2 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5
Task 3 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Task 4 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Task 5 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Task 6 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Task 7 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Task 8 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Task 9 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................10
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................10
Task 10 ..................................................................................................................................................................................................10
...............................................................................................................................................................................................11
...............................................................................................................................................................................................11
...............................................................................................................................................................................................11
Conclusion and Recommendations.........................................................................................................................................11
Bibliography ..........................................................................................................................................................................12
Appendix ................................................................................................................................................................................13
Introduction
This white paper describes the findings from a usability test of two universities’ websites:
University of North Dakota and University of Rhode Island
Methodology
Environment
The usability test was performed at my home on my personal Macbook Air. The browser used
was google chrome; the usability test assumed the user began on the homepage of each website
for each separate task.
Tasks
The tasks performed in the usability test were as follows:
1. Find a list of majors

2. Find the university population
3. Find cost of tuition
4. Investigate housing options
5. Learn about research on campus
6. Find out if school has Greek Life
7. List of athletics offered on campus
8. Locate the undergraduate admissions phone number
9. Plan a campus visit
10. Learn how to apply as an undergraduate
Criteria
Criteria statements for the 10 tasks on each website were as follows:
 Efficient -- I was able to find the information quickly

 Effective -- I was able to complete the task.
 Engaging -- The experience was visually appealing.
 Error Tolerant -- It was easy to go back and fix mistakes made.
 Easy to Learn -- It was easy to learn the task.
Rating Scale
A 5-point Likert scale was used to rate the criteria statements on a scale of 1 “Strongly Disagree”
to 5 “Strongly Agree.”
Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Agree

Disagree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Results
Task 1
Find a list of majors
 University of North Dakota
o Scored: 24
I started by clicking on the “Academics” tab from the homepage.
Then I clicked the “Explore Programs” link. From here it lead me to
the next page which included a list of all the programs offered. In
order to get a list of majors only I need to refine the search by filtering
it. I did this by clicking the “Program Type” filter drop down and
selecting “Majors” which caused a list of majors to be provided
below.
 University of Rhode Island
o Score: 24
I started by clicking on the “Academics” tab from the homepage.
Then I clicked the “Undergraduate” link located next to the
“Graduate” link. From here it took me to a search bar to look for
programs and below was a list of every program offered, I was
looking for majors specifically and conveniently located at the top
was a tab called “Undergraduate Majors A-Z” which provided the
information I needed.
University of Rhode Island
University of North Dakota

Task 2
Find the university population
o Score: 24
This number was easy to find on the website. From the homepage I
clicked the “About” tab and on this page the population was stated.
o Score: 24
This number was pretty easy to locate on the website. From the
homepage I clicked the “About” tab, from here a few options were
available but because I was looking for a number I chose the “The
Facts” section. From here the number population was very easy to see
and was listed alongside similar statistics.
Task 3
Find cost of tuition
o Score: 22
I started by going to the “About” tab from the homepage to look under
“Key Facts” but couldn’t find it. Then I went to the “Admission” tab
and scrolled down to find “Cost and Aid” from here it still wasn’t
clear what the cost was. To find the tuition I had to click on a
hyperlink labeled “undergraduate tuition rates” to find the full cost of
attending.
o Score: 25
I started in the “About” tab and from here navigated to the “The
Facts” page and on this page there was a “Tuition and Fees” tab that
contained the information.
Task 4
Investigate housing options
o Score: 25
First, I clicked on the “Student Life” tab and went to the “Housing”
subsection. From here it showed the housing options available on
campus and provided information as to who was allowed in each
option. A link was also provided for further information for each
option. Under the “Residence Halls” link it showed a page with links
to explore all of the residence halls on campus. Within each specific
hall there were photos of the building, a diagram of the room, as well
as lots of photos of the room and amenities.
o Score: 22
From the “Campus Life” the “Housing” subsection can be found
which describes the options on campus as well as provides a link to
further information. In the “Residence Halls” section it has a separate
link to all the residence halls on campus. However, I couldn’t find any
photos of what the rooms look like.

Task 5
Learn about research on campus
o Score: 25
Information about research was available in the “Research” tab on the
homepage. There it contained separate sections for the different
research opportunities. When clicked on they either linked to an
outside website (and opened a separate tab) with further information
or linked to another page on the university website with more
information.
o Score: 21
Information was available on the “Research” tab of the main page.
From here “Student Research” was selected. On this page “Research
Spaces” and “Undergraduate Research” were options. The former
showed all the spaces available on campus and further links took you
to an outside website (same tab – making it harder to go back) with
further information or linked to another page on the university website
with more information. The latter lead to an outside website (also
within the same tab) providing further information, however this page
was confusing.

Task 6
Find out if school has Greek Life
o Score: 24
The information was located in the “Clubs and Organizations”
subsection of the “Student Life” tab on the homepage. From here it
linked to a separate search engine (separate tab) listing all of the clubs
and organizations on campus. I had to filter the search list to see that
Greek organizations was an option.
o Score: 24
The information was in the “Campus Life” tab in the subsection
“Involvement.” From here “Greek Life” was an a link under the
“Involvement and Leadership” section which linked (same tab) to an
older university website that was not very visually appealing.

Task 7
List of athletics offered on campus
o Score: 23
There was a tab on the homepage labeled “Athletics”. When I clicked
on this and it linked to a separate website that at first glance appeared
to just be buying tickets. So next, I went back to see if there would be
a better list under the “Student Life” tab, there wasn’t so I went back
to the athletics website and found a list under “Teams” which came
from a hidden drop down menu on the main page.
o Score: 25
Information was located in the “Campus Life” tab, scroll down and it
led to an “Athletics” subsection. Once clicked on it had a clear list of
all intercollegiate sports on campus.
Task 8
Locate undergraduate admissions phone number
o Score: 24
I thought the phone number would be on the “Admission” tab but it
wasn’t. So, I scrolled down to the bottom and used to the “Contact
Us” link. From here it was easy to find the number.
o Score: 25
I went to the “Admission” tab selected “Undergraduate.” It took me to
how to apply but along the top was a “Contact” section from here it
was very simple to find it.

Task 9
Plan a campus visit
o Score: 24
I went to the “Admission” tab and then there was link labeled “Plan a
Visit.” It then took me to a new page with a few different options but
a little further down there was a link labeled “Schedule Your in
Person Visit.” It then took me to a form to fill out to register to the
tour. This form asked for number of guests, date, time, as well as
some basic information ie. Study interests, name, phone number, ect.
Once filled out you would be signed up for a tour.
o Score: 24
I first went to the “Admission” tab and I noticed a big “Tour” button
at the bottom so I clicked it but it led me to an interactive online tour
which was not what I was looking for so I went back and clicked the
“Undergraduate” subsection under “Admission”. From here there was
a “Visit Us” tab that stated when tours typically happen and it
provided an option to select a date to see when the scheduled tours
were. April 18 was the random date I selected, and I was shown all the
tours that would be happening on that date.

Task 10
Learn how to apply as an undergraduate
o Score: 25
First I clicked on the “Admission” tab. From here I chose the “apply
now” link which took me to a page asking me to select what kind of
student I was as well as defined what each option meant, I chose
“Freshman.” It then navigated me to a page with a step by step
instructions on how to apply to the University of North Dakota.
o Score: 23
I started by clicking the “Admission” tab. From here I chose the
“Undergraduate” box, which lead me to a webpage that described the
application process. However, they use the Common Application so
they didn’t explain how to apply very well just referred any questions
to the Common App website.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Shown graphically below is the total score for both website. The total scores were
University of Idaho: 140 and University of Rhode Island: 137. Given these scores
these two websites compared pretty evenly. They both provided the information I
needed quickly with minimal confusion and easy correction.
If I were to make any recommendations it would be to boost the visual appearance

of the University of Rhode Island website because overall, I tended to rank that one
lower than the University of North Dakota on the Likert scale.
Bibliography
 https://und.edu/
 https://www.uri.edu/
Appendix
Tasks University of Rhode Island University of North Dakota
Task 1 Find a List of Majors Find a List of Majors
Efficient I was able to find the information quickly I was able to find the information quickly
Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Effective I was able to complete the task. I was able to complete the task.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engaging The experience was visually appealing. The experience was visually appealing.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error Tolerant It was easy to go back and fix mistakes made. It was easy to go back and fix mistakes made.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to It was easy to learn the task. It was easy to learn the task.
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional They had a search engine if you were looking for I was specifically looking for majors and off the bat
Notes something specifc but if you just wanted a list of it showed a list of programs and I had to filter the list
offered majors there was a separate section which to show just majors which was different and a little
was easy to navigate to. difficult.
Task 2 Find University Population Find University Population
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error It was easy to go back and fix mistakes made. It was easy to go back and fix mistakes made.
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional In the facts section of the about. And extra click In the About Section pretty easy to find
Notes but easy to find.
Task 3 Find cost of tuition Find cost of tuition
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Was in the facts section of the about, in a separate Went to the about section and it was not there under
Notes tab labled Tutiton and Fees key facts. Then I went to Admissions, then I had to
scroll down to cost and aid. And then it still wasn’t a
clear number there so I had to click a separate link
that finally brought me to where I needed to be.
Task 4 Investigate housing options Investigate housing options
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional It was a subsection of Campus Life, housing. It It was in a subsection of Student Life, housing. It
Notes described the housing options available. Under showed the main housing options and then
Residence Halls it has separate links to all the provided links for further information to the various
available residence halls. But I couldn’t find any options. Showed photos of what the different dorm
photos of what the rooms look like. room’s look like as well as a diagram of what was in
the room.
Task 5 Learn about research on campus Learn about research on campus
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional Information was available on the research tab of the Information about research was available in the
Notes main page. From here student research was selected. Research tab on the homepage. There it had
And then here research spaces was an option or separate sections for the different research
undergraduate research. The former showed all the opportunities. When clicked on they either linked to
spaces available and further links took you to an an outside website (and opened a separate tab)
outside website (same tab – making it harder to go with further information or linked to another page
back) with further information or linked to another on the university website with more information.
page on the university website with more information.
The latter lead to an outside website providing further
information, however this page was confusing.
Task 6 Find out if school has Greek Life Find out if school has Greek Life
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional The information was in the campus life tab in the It was located in the clubs and organizations
Notes subsection involvement. From here GreekLife was subsection of the student life tab. From here it
an a link under Involvement and Leadership which linked to a separate engine (separate tab) listing all
linked (same tab) to an older university website that of the clubs and organizations on campus. I had to
was not very visually appealing. filter the search list to see only the Greek
organizations.
Task 7 List of athletics offered on campus List of athletics offered on campus
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5
Additional Information was located in the campus life tab, There was a main tab labeled athletics. Clicked on this
Notes scroll down and it lead to athletics subsection. and it linked to a separate website that at first glance
Once clicked on it had a clear list of all appeared to just be buying tickets. So I went back to
intercollegiate sports on campus. see if there would be a better list under student life,
there wasn’t so I went back to the athletics website
and found a list under teams which came from a
hidden drop down menu on the main page.
Task 8 Locate office of undergraduate admissions phone Locate office of undergraduate admissions phone
number number
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional I went to the admissions tab selected I thought the number would be on the admissions
Notes undergraduate admissions. It took me to how to tab but it wasn’t. So I scrolled down to the bottom
apply but along the top was a contact section and went to the contact us link. From here it was
from here it was very simple to find it. easy to find the number.
Task 9 Plan a campus visit Plan a campus visit
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional I first went to the Admissions tab and I noticed a big I went to the admissions tab and then there was link
Notes tour button at the bottom so I clicked it but it lead me labeled plan a visit. It then took me to a new page
to an interactive online tour which was not what I was with a few different options but a little further down
looking for so I went back and clicked the there was a link labeled schedule your in person
undergraduate subsection under admissions. From visit. It then took me to a form to fill out to RSVP in a
here there was a visit us tab that stated when tours way to the tour. This way was a little more
typically happen and it provided an option to select complicated to understand.
a date to see when the scheduled tours were. April 18
was the random date I selected and I was shown all
the tours that would be happening on that date.
Task 10 Learn how to apply as an undergraduate Learn how to apply as an undergraduate
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional They use the common app, and didn’t really They used step by step which made it seem very
Notes explain how it would work, just stated that they easy to understand.
used that and if you had any questions to refer to
the Common App.

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Usability of Online University

March 24, 2019

1. Find a list of majors

 Efficient -- I was able to find the information quickly

Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Agree

University of Rhode Island

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

University of North Dakota

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

Conclusion and Recommendations

If I were to make any recommendations it would be to boost the visual appearance

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