A practical application of SurveyMonkey as a remote usability‐testing tool
| Date | 06 September 2011 |
| Published date | 06 September 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831111174404 |
| Pages | 436-445 |
| Author | Emily Symonds |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
A practical application of
SurveyMonkey as a remote
usability-testing tool
Emily Symonds
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of a web-based tool as a remote
asynchronous usability testing method based on an assessment of an academic library’s digital
collections website.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the selection of an asynchronous remote
usability testing method, the reasons for the selection of SurveyMonkey, an evaluation of its
effectiveness through an assessment of the digital collections web site, and the potential for its
application in future usability studies.
Findings – SurveyMonkey can be employed as an assessment tool with advance planning by
evaluators to capture the responses and opinions of users. Overall, it is a cost effective and time-saving
option for small assessment projects.
Research limitations/implications – This was an informal study where a specific product,
SurveyMonkey, was tested with the purpose of evaluating its effectiveness as a remote asynchronous
assessment tool through its application for a specific website usability study. The assessment was not
compared to other testing methods, and the tool was not evaluated through formal methods.
Practical implications – Libraries and other organizations can look to free, or low-cost, web-based
tools as an alternative to more traditional methods, such as focus groups, when evaluating services.
Originality/value – The paper describes the creation and implementation of a web-based usability
test for a library website using a specific product. It looks at the effectiveness of the assessment tool
based on cost and time requirements, in addition to the benefits and disadvantages of conducting
remote usability testing.
Keywords Assessment, Digitallibraries, User studies, Web sites,Software tools
Paper type General review
Introduction
The Assessment and Resource Planning Team (ARPT) at the University of Louisville
Libraries seeks to coordinate the various levels of assessment conducted across library
departments, including surveys, data gathering, and analysis. Its primary purpose is to
collect information from users about the performance of the university and to work
with library units and departments to provide assistance with assessment activities as
needed. In 2010 the team conducted a survey of library staff on what statistics
compiled by different department they found useful and survey of library website
users for feedback on a redesigned library homepage. As a small committee with no
formal authority within the libraries and no budget, the team relies on its members to
initiate and coordinate projects that are economical and time-limited. The team
primarily uses free or inexpensive plan options from products such as SurveyMonkey
and CrazyEgg to distribute online surveys and compile website analytics.
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0737-8831.htm
LHT
29,3
436
Received January 2011
Revised February 2011
Accepted April 2011
Library Hi Tech
Vol. 29 No. 3, 2011
pp. 436-445
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0737-8831
DOI 10.1108/07378831111174404
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