Comparison of open science portals of India: web accessibility study
| Date | 07 June 2024 |
| Pages | 94-102 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/CC-12-2023-0045 |
| Published date | 07 June 2024 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Collection building & management |
| Author | Suman Das,Anup Kumar Das,Shipra Awasthi,Manorama Tripathi |
Comparison of open science portals of India:
web accessibility study
Suman Das
Jayaprakash Narayan National Centre of Excellence in the Humanities, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, India
Anup Kumar Das
Centre for Studies in Science Policy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, and
Shipra Awasthi and Manorama Tripathi
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Central Library, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to compare ten Open Science Portals in India. The comparison is made using the three primary parameters of
accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO) and performance. This study aims to investigate whether the ten selected web portals efficiently meet
the web accessibility requirements of the large population at an acceptable rate.
Design/methodology/approach –This study was performed by using the Siteimprove web tool to collect information about Web Content
Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. The online accessibility tools provided by Siteimprove make it simple to comply with and follow the global
WCAG at all compliance levels. This study selected ten web portals taking into account the open accessibility and the web portals offered by the
Indian Government to promote research and innovation.
Findings –The findings of this research will be beneficial for the government website designers, managers and administrators to assess their
website’s level of compliance with accepted accessibility standards so they can make tactical choices to increase accessibility.
Originality/value –This study highlights the portals’robust characteristic features and downsides, where improvement may be required. It also
focused on how these portals help in promoting citizen science and public understanding of science nationwide.
Keywords Accessibility guidelines, WCAG 2.1, Standards, Accessibility, Web portals, Open science
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Open Government Data (OGD) policies worldwide ensure
access to data generatedin government ministries, departments
and organizations to all, general, public and individual
researchers and research organizations. The Right to
Information Act, 2005 mandatesthe Government to provide as
much as possible suo motu information to the public through
its websites and portals. The National Data Sharing and
Accessibility Policy clearly spells out that all shareable non-
sensitive data, generatedby using public funds, should be made
available in digital or analog forms. The policy promotes data
sharing and facilitates access to Government owned data and
use by researchers and other departmentsfor national planning
and development.
Open Science is knowledge that is developed through
collaboration and is accessible to one and all to browse, read,
understand and further build upon it. Open data is a concept
that implies that data should be availableto everyone to access,
use and further share without any copyright restrictions.Open
knowledge comprises open datawhich is valuable and available
for use. The data must be available for use, reuse and
redistributionin a convenient, machine-readable and accessible
format. Everyone should be able to engage and participate in
the use of data, which should be restrictionfree.
The science portals have been developed by the various
agencies of the Government of India to disseminate the
resources; infrastructure available in the field across the
country. The researchersmay focus on their work goals without
having to worry about the resources, expenditure and
infrastructurefor conducting their experiments.
2. Scope of study
Diverse groups of users access a website, and it should fulfil
various needs of the users such as navigation, interaction,
colour contrast, simplicity in design, readability and
searchability. For example,larger font sizes and primary colour
codes are preferable for a visually impaired person to the
general public. Open Science portals are regardedas an official
reference that Indian citizens rely on for scientific research.
These portals have greater significance for academicians,
scholars, students,other stakeholders and the general public.
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) are the primary
forces behind economic expansion and social advancement.
The STI and Open Science Frameworks (2020) offer
The current issue and full text archiveof this journal is available on Emerald
Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2514-9326.htm
Collection and Curation
43/3 (2024) 94–102
© Emerald Publishing Limited [ISSN 2514-9326]
[DOI 10.1108/CC-12-2023-0045]
Received 29 December 2023
Revised 13 March 2024
Accepted 11 April 2024
94
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