Community Needs Assessment Process Group | Library

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO

OFFICE OF RESEARCH ETHICS

APPLICATION FOR ETHICS REVIEW OF RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN PARTICIPANTS

IN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE PROJECTS

Title of Project:
Usability Testing of UW Library Gateway Web Page

Faculty Supervisor(s)	Department	Ext:	e-mail:
Carolyn MacGregor	Systems Design Eng.	2897	cgmacgre@engmail

Student Investigator(s)	Department	e-mail:	Local Telephone Number:
SD 348 Winter 2001 students - see attached list

Level of Project:
Undergraduate Course
Specify course and number:
SD 348
Indicate the anticipated commencement date for this project:
March 22, 2001
Indicate the anticipated completion date for this project:
March 30, 2001
Purpose and Rationale for Proposed Research
Briefly describe the purpose (objectives) and rationale of the proposed project and include any hypothesis(es)/research questions to be investigated.

We have been working on the redesign of the UW Library Gateway page in conjunction with the UW Library Community Needs Assessment Group (CNAG). The members of CNAG serve as clients for the 6 teams of students (5-6 students per team). All teams are working on the same assignment - the redesign of the UW Library Gateway page through the use of user-centred design methods. The methods and redesign activities to date have involved the students and the CNAG members. As the final phase of the design projects, the students will be carrying out formal "lab-based" usability testing of their final designs and the current UW Gateway page.

The project does not involve a research question per se. The overall objective of the usability testing is to have the students experience a more formal method of evaluating their designs. The intention of the project is to generate recommendations for alternative designs for the UW Gateway page that can then be more rigorously tested by CNAG.
Methodology/Procedures
1. Which of the following procedures will be used? Provide a copy of all materials to be used in this study.
  [ ] Survey(s) or questionnaire(s) (mail-back) Are they standardized? All [ ] Some [ ] None [ ]
  [ ] Survey(s) or questionnaire(s) (in person) Are they standardized? All [ ] Some [ ] None [ ]
  [X ] Computer-administered task(s) or survey(s) Are they standardized? All [ ] Some [ ] None [ X ]
  [ X ] Interview(s) (in person)
  [ ] Interview(s) (by telephone)
  [ ] Focus group(s)
  [ ] Audiotaping
  [ ] Videotaping
  [ ] Invasive physiological measurement (e.g. venipuncture, muscle biopsies, catheter insertions, etc.)
  [ ] Non-invasive physiological measurement (e.g. exercise, heart rate, blood pressure, electromyography, muscle stimulation, balance/movement, force exertion, CO2 or altered O2 breathing, lower body negative pressure, etc.)
  [ ] Unobtrusive observations
  [ ] Analysis of secondary data set (no involvement with human participants)
  [ ] Analysis of human tissue, body fluids, etc. only
  Other (specify)
2. Provide a brief, sequential description of the procedures to be used in this study.
  All users will be asked to read and sign the Information/Consent Letter. See Appendix A.
  
  All users will be asked to fill out a brief Background Questionnaire concerning their familiarity with the main UW libraries and the UW Library website (e.g. frequency of visits) and web pages in general. See Appendix B.
  
  Test monitors will read from a set script and each user will be asked to perform a set of tasks related to library activities using either the current UW Library Gateway Page or the redesigned Gateway page. Users will be reminded that the objective of the study is to test the usability of the design (and not to test the skills of the user). See Apprendix C.
  
  Test monitors will time how long it takes the users to complete the tasks, and will record when users have encounter difficulties in completing tasks (e.g. select a link that does not lead to the appropriate resource).
  
  See Appendix D.
  
  Participants will be asked to fill out a Usability Questionnaire once the tasks have been completed.
  
  See Appendix E.
  
  All users will be given a feedback letter. See Appendix F.
Participants Involved in the Study
1. Indicate who will be recruited as potential participants in this study.
  UW Participants:
  
  [ X ] Undergraduate students
  [ X ] Graduate students
  [ ] Faculty and/or staff
  Non-UW Participants:
  
  [ ] Children
  [ ] Adolescents
  [ ] Adults
  [ ] Seniors
  [ ] Persons in Institutional Settings (eg. Nursing Homes, Correctional Facilities, etc.)
  Other (specify) _________________________________________
2. Describe the potential participants in this study including group affiliation, gender, age range and any other special characteristics. If only one gender is to be recruited, provide a justification for this.
  For the purpose of this design project, participants can be anyone who is a current UW student. In order to test the robustness of their designs, teams will be encouraged to recruit a range of participants (e.g. mix of males and females, undergrads and grads, different disciplines). The only requirement is that the participant has used web pages before.
3. How many participants are expected to be involved in this study?
  6 design groups X 6-10 participants
Recruitment Process and Study Location
1. From what source(s) will the potential participants be recruited?
  [ X ] UW undergraduate and/or graduate classes
  [ ] UW Psychology Research Experiences Group
  [ ] Other UW sources (specify) _______________________
  [ ] School Boards (not including local school boards)
  [ ] Kitchener-Waterloo Community
  [ ] Agencies
  [ ] Businesses, Industries
  [ ] Health care settings, nursing homes etc.
  
  Other (specify) _Students may recruit through friends, roommates, and classmates
2. Describe how and by whom the potential participants will be recruited.
  Provide a copy of any materials to be used for recruitment (e.g. posters(s), flyers, advertisement(s), letter(s), telephone and other verbal scripts).
  Since the majority of the recruitment will be done directly by the SD 348 students, a short "email" message has been prepared that they can send to personal contacts. See Appendix G.
3. Where will the study take place?
  [ X ] On campus Location __EL 108 (computer lab)
  [ ] Off campus Location __________________________
Compensation of Participants
Will participants receive compensation (financial or otherwise) for participation?
Yes [ ] No [ X ]
If Yes, provide details:
Feedback to Participants
Briefly describe the plans for provision of feedback. Where feasible, a letter of appreciation should be provided to participants. This also should include details about the purpose and predictions of the study, and if possible, an executive summary of the study outcomes. Provide a copy of the feedback letter to be used.
See Appendix F
POTENTIAL BENEFITS FROM THE STUDY
1. Identify and describe any known or anticipated direct benefits to the participants from their involvement in the project.
  The participants will experience usability testing and their feedback and efforts will contribute to the evaluation and redesign of the UW Library Gateway Page.
2. Identify and describe any known or anticipated benefits to society from this study.
  Ultimately usability improvements to the UW Library Gateway Page will allow the larger community greater ease in accessing UW Library information and resources.
POTENTIAL RISKS FROM THE STUDY
1. For each procedure used in this study, provide a description of any known or anticipated risks/stressors to the participants. Consider physiological, psychological, emotional, social, economic, legal, etc. risks/stressors. A study-specific medical screening form must be included when physiological assessments are used and associated risk(s) to participants are minimal or greater.
  [ X ] No known or anticipated risks
  
  Explain why no risks are anticipated:
  Participants will be asked to carry out brief tasks using a webpage. All participants will be familiar with using webpages. Participants will be reminded that their performance is being observed to test the effectiveness of the designs - not to test the skills of the users.
  [ ] Minimal risk
  
  Description of risks:
  
  [ ] Greater than minimal risk
  
  Description of risks:
2. Describe the procedures or safeguards in place to protect the physical and psychological health of the participants in light of the risks/stresses identified in D1
  All test monitors will follow the test monitor script to ensure that all participants are instructed in the same manner.
INFORMED CONSENT PROCESS
1. What process will be used to inform the potential participants about the study details and to obtain their consent for participation?
  [ X ] Information letter with written consent form; provide a copy
  [ ] Information letter with verbal consent; provide a copy
  [ ] Information/cover letter; provide a copy
  Other (specify) ___________________________________________________________
2. If written consent cannot be obtained from the potential participants, provide a justification.
ANONYMITY OF PARTICIPANTS AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA
1. Explain the procedures to be used to ensure anonymity of participants and confidentiality of data both during the research and in the release of the findings.
  All participants will be assigned a participant number which will be used on data collection forms.
  Data will be aggregated such that no participant will be identified in any of the reports.
2. Describe the procedures for securing written records, questionnaires, video/audio tapes and electronic data, etc.
  Teams will be responsible for keeping data collection forms until the data collection and analysis is complete. Information/consent forms with participant names will be kept in a file separate from the data collection forms to protect anonymity. Once data collection is finished and aggregated raw data (i.e. consent forms, data collection sheets and questionnaires) will be turned over to Prof MacGregor.
3. Indicate how long the data will be securely stored and the method to be used for final disposition of the data.
  [ ] Paper Records
  
  [ ] Confidential shredding after ______ years
  [ ] Data will be retained indefinitely in a secure location
  [ X ] Data will be retained until completion of specific course.
  
  [ ] Audio/Video Recordings
  
  [ ] Erasing of audio/video tapes after ______ years
  [ ] Data will be retained indefinitely in a secure location
  [ ] Data will be retained until completion of specific course.
  [ ] Electronic Data
  
  [ ] Erasing of electronic data after ______ years
  [ ] Data will be retained indefinitely in a secure location
  [ X ] Data will be retained until completion of specific course.
  
  [ ] Other (Provide details on type, retention period and final disposition, if applicable)

Researchers must ensure that all supporting materials/documentation for their applications are submitted with the signed, hard copies of the ORE form 101/101A. Note that materials shown below in bold are required as part of the ORE application package. The inclusion of other materials depends on the specific type of projects.

Please check below all appendices that are attached as part of your application package:

[ X ] Recruitment Materials: A copy of any poster(s), flyer(s), advertisement(s), letter(s), telephone or other verbal script(s) used to recruit/gain access to participants.
[ X ] Information Letter and Consent Form(s)*. Used in studies involving interaction with participants (e.g. interviews, testing, etc.)
[ ] Information/Cover Letter(s)*. Used in studies involving surveys or questionnaires.
[ ] Parent Information Letter and Permission Form*. For studies involving minors.
[ ] Medical Screening Form: Must be included for all physiological measurements and tailored for each study.
[ X ] Data Collection Materials: A copy of all survey(s), questionnaire(s), interview questions, interview themes/sample questions for open-ended interviews, focus group questions, or any standardized tests.
[ X ] Feedback letter *
[ ] ORE Form 102: To be submitted by applicants who wish access to students and/or teachers from the local school boards.
[ ] Other: _____________________________________________________________________

INVESTIGATORS' AGREEMENT

I have read the Office of Research Ethics Guidelines for Research with Human Participants and agree to comply with the conditions outlined in the Guidelines. In the case of student research, as a Course Instructor, my signature indicates that I have read and approved the application and proposal, deem the project to be valid and worthwhile, and agree to provide the necessary supervision of the student(s).

________________________________________________ Signature of Course Instructor	March 15, 2001 Date
________________________________________________ Signature of Student Investigator(s)	_____________ Date
________________________________________________ Signature of Student Investigator(s)	_____________ Date
________________________________________________ Signature of Student Investigator(s)	_____________ Date

FOR OFFICE OF RESEARCH ETHICS USE ONLY:

_____________________________

Susan E. Sykes, Ph.D., C. Psych.
Director
Office of Research Ethics

_____________________
Date

SYDE 348 Winter 200

Instructor:
Carolyn MacGregor	Systems Design Eng	cgmacgre@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Teaching Assistants:
Scott Anderson	Systems Design Eng	sjanders@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Lora Bruyn	Systems Design Eng	le2bruyn@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Class List
Student Name	Department	Email
Minh Cao	Systems Design Eng	mcao@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Justina Chan	Systems Design Eng	jpwchan@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Cecilia Chung	Systems Design Eng	cchung@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Ian Dai	Systems Design Eng	y2dai@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Tim Filier	Kinesiology	tfillier@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Ryan Finnie	Kinesiology	rlfinnie@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Ankur Gupta	Kinesiology	a8gupta@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Phat Ha	Kinesiology	phha@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Veronica Haliniak	Kinesiology	vmhalini@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Danny Ho	Systems Design Eng	ycdho@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Nadim Jamal	Systems Design Eng	njamal@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Shawn Kavanagh	Kinesiology	smkavana@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Chris Klachan	Kinesiology	cdklacha@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Gerald Lai	Kinesiology	gelai@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Frank Lardi	Kinesiology	flardi@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Pamela Lauz	Systems Design Eng	plauz@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Arthur Law	Systems Design Eng	alaw@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Rhoda Lee	Kinesiology	r6lee@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
General Leung	Systems Design Eng	g2leung@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Dylan Lum	Systems Design Eng	dlum@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Jasdeep Madpuri	Kinesiology	jkmadpur@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Carrie Ng	Kinesiology	cgng@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Scott Nisbet	Kinesiology	ssnisbet@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Barry Piquet	Systems Design Eng	brpiquet@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Kelly Jo Shipp	Systems Design Eng	kjshipp@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Robert Snow	Systems Design Eng	rjsnow@engmail.uwaterloo.ca
Greg Stefan	Kinesiology	gastefan@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Melissa Thomas	Kinesiology	m2thomas@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Julia Thompson	Kinesiology	je4thomp@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Anna Tran	Kinesiology	a4tran@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Justine Yau	Kinesiology	jyau@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca
Simon Yu	Kinesiology	s2yu@ahsmail.uwaterloo.ca

APPENDIX A - Information/Consent Form SD 348 Winter=01

Team Project
Information Letter

RESEARCHERS:

Student Members of SD 348 (User-Centred Design), in co-operation with Prof. Carolyn MacGregor (Systems Design Engineering) and the members of UW Library Community Needs Assessment Group (CNAG)

TITLE:

Usability testing of UW Library Gateway Web Page

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

The class members of SD 348, along with course instructor Prof. Carolyn MacGregor, are working with CNAG to help improve the design and layout of the University of Waterloo's Library Gateway (main) web-page.

The main objective of this usability testing is to evaluate the logic and layout of the current UW Library Gateway web page and to compare it with some proposed redesigns.

TASKS:

All participants will complete a Background Questionnaire. The purpose of this questionnaire is to collect general information on the demographics and computer & library experience of the participants involved in this phase of the usability testing.

Following the questionnaire, you will be asked to carry out a set of specific tasks. At the end of the tasks, we will ask you some general questions on your opinions of how user-friendly you found the system.. You may leave unanswered any questions you prefer not to answer.

Keep in mind that the testing is not an evaluation of how well you might use the system, but whether the web-pages are user-friendly at this phase in the design development.

TIME COMMITMENT:

This study will require approximately 20-30 minutes of your time. Your participation is strictly voluntary.

RISKS & BENEFITS:

There are no known risks to yourself. The benefits of participating in this study is that you will be contributing to the development of a more user-friendly design for the UW Library Gateway web page

RIGHT TO WITHDRAWAL:

You may withdraw from this study at any time by advising the researcher of your decision. At the time of withdrawal, all data collected during your session will be destroyed.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

All data collected will be kept confidential, and you will not be personally identified in any reports. A participant code will be used on all data sheets instead of your name. The only people who will have access to the original data will be the researchers. All data will be destroyed at the end of the course requirements (April 2001).

ETHICS REVIEW:

If you have any questions about participation in this study, please feel free to ask the researchers. If you have additional questions at a later date, please contact Professor MacGregor at 888-4567 ext 2897.

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo. If you have any questions or concerns resulting from your participation in this study, please contact Dr. Susan Sykes at 885-4567 ext. 6005.

Consent of Participant

I have read and understood the information presented in the participant information letter and understand the procedures and risks involved in the study. I have received satisfactory answers to my questions related to this study. I understand that this project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo. I further understand that if I have any questions or concerns resulting from my participation in this study, I may contact the Director, Office of Research Ethics, at (519) 888-4567 ext. 6005. I am aware that I may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. With full knowledge of all foregoing, I agree, of my own free will, to participate in this study.

_____________________________
Print Name Signature of Participant

____________________________________
Dated at Waterloo, Ontario Witnessed

Witness: __________________________

Signature of Witness: _____________________

Do you wish to receive feedback on the results of this study? ___ No ___ Yes

If yes, please include an email or regular mailing address where a summary of the results can be sent?

Email: ________________________

APPENDIX B - Background Questionnaire

USABILITY TESTING OF UW LIBRARY GATEWAY WEB PAGE.

Test Monitor: _____________ Participant # _____________

BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE

General Questions:

Gender: ___ Male ___ Female Age: ____

Program: ___________________ Year: ____ Co-op: ___ Yes ___ No ___

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar would you say you are with everyday computing activities
(e.g. word processing, email)?

not at all familiar

very familiar

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar would you say you are with the use of web-pages for on-line activities (e.g. searching for information)?

not at all familiar

very familiar

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar would you say you are with the design and creation of web-pages?

not at all familiar

very familiar

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar would you say you are with UW's Library web-pages?

not at all familiar

very familiar

On a scale of 1 to 5, how familiar would you say you are with UW's Library services?

not at all familiar

very familiar

APPENDIX C - Test Monitor Scripts

SD 348 WinterTeam Project

TEST MONITOR SCRIPTS

Note to Test Monitors:

Please read the text in Times-Roman (this font) out loud to each participant. The text in capitals (Arial) are instructions to you and should not be read out loud.

LIST OF USER-TESTING TASKS:

Instructions to Participant, Information/Consent & Background Questionnaire (5 minutes)

Library Tasks using current design or redeisgn (10-20 minutes)

Usability Questionnaire (5 minutes)

EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO BRING TO TESTING SESSIONS:

testing script
data collection forms
a watch to time events
clipboard (or something to write on)
extra paper for making notes

Step 1: INSTRUCTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS. NOTE: MAKE SURE THAT WINDOW FOR WEB PAGE IS MINIMIZE SO THAT PARTICIPANT CANNOT SEE IT UNTIL THE TRIALS ARE READY TO BEGIN

Thank you for agreeing to participate in our study entitled AUsability Testing of the UW Library Gateway Web Page@.

This study is being carried out by the class members of SD 348 (User-Centred Design) as part of our course requirements. In order to make sure that all participants receive the same information, I am going to read to you from this script.

We will start by going over the information letter for this study. It will explain the objectives of this study and the tasks that we will ask you to perform.

GO OVER INFORMATION LETTER, AND ASK IF PARTICIPANT HAS ANY QUESTIONS?

ASK PARTICIPANT TO READ OVER AND SIGN CONSENT FORM.

Step 2: BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE Before we have you use the UW Library Gateway Web Page we would like to ask you some general questions about yourself and your computing experience.

ASK STUDENT TO FILL IN THE BACKGROUND QUESTIONNAIRE.

Now for the main part of the study.

Step 3: LIBRARY TASKS Before we start, I need to remind you that we are testing the usability of the web page design and not your ability to use the system. I will be taking notes as you work through the tasks and recording how long it takes someone to find the appropriate links and where people may have difficulties using the web page. This will help us to improve upon our design before our presentations next week.

I will be asking you to work through a series of tasks that people normally associate with libraries. We will be going through each task one right after the other and then I will give you an opportunity to comment about the web page and tasks once they are all done.

For each task, you will start with your hand on the mouse and the cursor at the bottom centre of the screen. I will then read the task out loud and once I am finished you are to try to find the appropriate link on the web page as quickly as possible. I will tell you when you have found the appropriate link which will end that task. I will then remind you to move the cursor to the bottom centre of the screen before I read the next task.

BRING UP WINDOW AND ASK PARTICIPANT TO PLACE HAND ON MOUSE AND MOVE CURSOR TO BOTTOM CENTRE OF SCREEN.
READ FIRST TASK FROM SHEET.
START TIMER.
STOP TIMER WHEN PARTICIPANT HAS CLICKED ON APPROPRIATE LINK THAT MOVES USER OFF OF THE GATEWAY.
NOTE ANY PROBLEMS ON OBSERVATION SHEET BEFORE MOVING TO NEXT TASK.
REMIND PARTICIPANT TO MOVE CURSOR TO BOTTOM CENTRE AND KEEP HAND ON MOUSE WHILE YOU READ NEXT TASK OBJECTIVE.

ONCE ALL TASKS ARE COMPLETED, ASK PARTICIPANT TO FILL OUT USABILITY QUESTIONNAIRE.

Step 4: USABILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

As a final task we would like you to answer some questions about the usability of the UW Library Gateway Web-Page design that you just used.

APPENDIX D - Data Collection Sheet

UW LIBRARY GATEWAY WEB PAGE

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Test Monitor: ________________ Participant #: ________________

RECORD TIME AND OBSERVATIONS

TASK	TIME (seconds)	COMMENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

APPENDIX D (con't) Data Collection Task List

VERSION A

Task	Objective: Find the links that would allow you to answer the following ...

1	Where would you go to find general help with a research topic in your department?
2	How do you get an article from a journal that is available at WLU?
3	Can alumni borrow books from UW?
4	What are the hours for the University Archives?
5	What books are available at the Kitchener Public Library?
6	Does the library have any electronic dictionaries?
7	Does UW library have a copy of Andrew Pyper's Lost Girls?
8	Where can you find instructions for connecting from home?
9	Where would you go to renew books online?
10	What is the contact information for the Liaison Librarian assigned to your home department?

VERSION B

Task	Objective: Find the links that would allow you to answer the following ...

1	What is the contact information for the Liaison Librarian assigned to your home department?
2	Where would you go to renew books online?
3	Where can you find instructions for connecting from home?
4	Does UW library have a copy of Andrew Pyper's Lost Girls?
5	Does the library have any electronic dictionaries?
6	What books are available at the Kitchener Public Library?
7	What are the hours for the University Archives?
8	Can alumni borrow books from UW?
9	How do you get an article from a journal that is available at WLU?
10	Where would you go to find general help with a research topic in your department?

APPENDIX E - Usability Questionnaire

UW LIBRARY GATEWAY WEB PAGE

USABILITY QUESTIONNAIRE

Test Monitor: ___________________

Participant # _______________

On a scale of 1 to 5, how USER-FRIENDLY would you say the web-pages were in terms of conveying which actions you needed to perform to complete the following tasks?

	Not at all user friendly				very user-friendly
Key words	9	9	9	9	9
Major Links	9	9	9	9	9
Graphics	9	9	9	9	9
Navigation Bars	9	9	9	9	9
Overall Layout	9	9	9	9	9

In terms of overall usability, how would you compare this web page with the current UW Library Gateway Page

9	not applicable, (haven=t used current UW Library Gateway Page)	--go to #3
9	much better than current UW Library Gateway Page	-- go to #3
9	marginally better than current UW Library Gateway Page	-- go to #3
9	about the same as current UW Library Gateway Page	-- go to #3
9	marginally worse than current UW Library Gateway Page	(go to #2b)
9	much worse than current UW Library Gateway Page	(go to #2b)

In your opinion, what would you say are the major problems with the new design that makes it worse than the current current UW Library Gateway Page?

Do you have any additional comments or feedback on the web-pages you used today?

APPENDIX F - Feedback Letter USABILITY OF THE UW LIBRARY GATEWAY WEB PAGE

March 22, 2001

Dear Participant:

Thank you for helping us with our usability study as part of our course requirements for SD 348 (User-Centred Design). The class has been working with the UW Library's Community Needs Assessment Group to help improve the usability of UW's Library Gateway Web Page. UW would like to make sure that its library resources and services are accessible and easy to find for UW students and faculty, UW alumni, and the larger community. Improving the usability of the library web pages will help them to meet that goal.

There are six different teams in our class. Each team has been working on an alternative design for the current UW Library Gateway Web Page. We will be using the information that we have gathered from you along with the other participants to help improve upon the usability of our web page designs. As stated in the information letter, the data from participants will be analysed as a group and you will not be identified personally.

As a class we have been following a user-centred approach to design. Each team has developed their own prototype of the UW Library Gateway that has evolved over the course of the term through usability analysis and testing. Our class will be giving a presentation of the evolution of our web designs on

Tuesday, March 27, 2001
at
9 am - 10:30 am
in
E2 1303 B.

You are welcome to attend to see how your input may have helped with the development of the final designs.

If you would like further information about this project, please contact Prof. Carolyn MacGregor at 888-4567 ext 2897 or at cgmacgre@engmail.uwaterloo.ca

If you have concerns regarding your participation in this study, please contact Dr. Susan Sykes at the Office of Research Ethics, 888-4567 ext 6005.

Thank you again for your participation.

The Students of SD 348.

Appendix G. - Email "flyer" WANTED:
VOLUNTEERS FOR
Usability Testing of
UW Library Main Gateway Web Page

ARE YOU A UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO STUDENT?

DO YOU HAVE 20-30 MINUTES
TO TEST THE USABILITY OF THE
UW LIBRARY GATEWAY WEB PAGE???

The class members of SD 348, along with course instructor Prof. Carolyn MacGregor, are working with the UW Library Community Needs Assessment Group to help improve the design and layout of the UW Library Main Gateway Web Page.

UW Library has lots of great resources on-line and wants to make sure that students can easily find that information.

This is your chance as a UW student to help with the preliminary user testing of the current and new web-page designs.

If you are interested in participating, please contact [student puts email address here] or if you have further questions please contact Prof. MacGregor, cgmacgre@engmail.uwaterloo.ca

This project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Office of Research Ethics at the University of Waterloo. If you have any questions or concerns resulting from your participation in this study, please contact the Director, Office of Research Ethics, at (519) 888-4567 ext. 6005.

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