NWDA Reports Appendix 1 Rating Tips

Appendix I: Rating Criteria

Rating tips for Interface Design

The interface should be designed to create an environment that makes the site easy to use.  It should convey the purpose and themes of the Northwest Digital Archives in a way that is easy to comprehend.   The design should be esthetically pleasing and not distract the user.  When rating interface design, consider the following elements:

• Page layout
• Color scheme
• Graphic quality/use of images
• Font style and size
• Overall impact on usability
• Overall look and feel

Rating tips for Information/Language

It is important that the information presented through the NWDA site is accessible and relevant to a wide range of users.  The language employed should facilitate continued use and understanding of the site, not alienate users with excessive wordiness or technical jargon.  When rating Information/Language, consider the following elements:

• Amount (too much? too little?)
• Ease of comprehension (is the language appropriate?)
• Ease of reading (is the presentation clear?)
• General clarity (is the writing style clear?)
• Usefulness (is the information relevant?)

Rating tips for Navigation

Navigation is important not only as a way to aid movement within a page, but also as a way to connect a page with other relevant pages or sites. When rating Navigation, consider the following elements:

• Ease of navigation both within this page and from this page to others
• Placement of navigational links
• Relevance of links and options provided
• Amount of options provided (too many? too few?)

Rating tips for Page Relevance

The relevance of a page refers to how well the page meets expectations.  Does the page fit within the entire site? Does the page relate to those which directed you to it, and does it relate well to those it directs you to?  Does it form a part of a logical sequence?  In essence, does the page assist or detract from the process of conducting your research through the NWDA site? When rating Page Relevance, consider the following elements:

• How well the page meets your expectations
• Whether the page fits logically within the overall site

Rating tips for Functionality

The functionality of a page refers to how well it performs the tasks it is designed to do.  Functionality can be as simple as conveying information or as complex as providing interactive components such as search options, links, or forms.  When rating Functionality, consider the following elements:

• General ease of use
• Response times of interactive components
• Quality of interactive components (search options, links, forms, etc.)
• Number of functions offered (too many? too few?)