The impact of information architecture on academic web site usability

Recent studies of web-site use indicate that people do not come to the web for an 'experience' they come for information. Yet, to date, web-sire desig n has been synonymous with the 'look and feel' of a site overlooking the si gnificance of a site's information architecture. In this study, we assessed the effect of the information architecture of an academic web site: how in formation is categorised, labelled and presented and how navigation and acc ess are facilitated. Twenty-four participants from six faculties attempted to answer typical questions often asked within an academic milieu. They wer e able to find the answers to just over half the questions successfully and , in subjective assessments, gave the site a failing grade. We address how the information architecture affected their ability to negotiate the site a nd, additionally, make recommendations for the key ingredients: information design, access tools, and navigational aids.