This is a page where we can list general observations from the usability testing with or without recommendations. Anyone who administered or observed the testing should feel free to add notes.

It is very possible that some of the items here are already covered in JIRA issues.

We are still working on this page. Anything in italics are our thoughts from what we were seeing, not direct observations.

The tests can be accessed here: https://vimeo.com/album/3571591 (password shared on Slack).

Notes from Rice Testing

it is really unclear what level an object is at in the hierarchy on its page
search results have no context
- often the top results have titles that are identical, particularly names
depending on how much description is done, it can be unclear what a component is if landed on via search
not entirely clear what the component being described is
when there are many agent links, the description is buried

Notes from Harvard Testing

items have no clear indication of where to find the physical objects or how to request them
collecting items in a citation manager would be helpful
confusion between top search bar and text filter in sidebar

Overall highlights

Search results listing needs the most work. Among items that are confusing:

Items in the list have the same titles, so user doesn’t have an indication of what they should click on (context would be helpful)
Unclear what the items are (even where there are icons, this is still unclear)
How to search (even under advanced search) isn’t entirely clear

Layout of item page:

Would be helpful to put the description / summary / etc. up at the top
Agent links are confusing
Jargon (e.g. Components) is confusing

Most users are unsure of their position in the system by the time they’ve moved around a bit.

A very preliminary sketch for a couple of the elements that need to be addressed:

Cliffnotes from Rice 1

Instances and Container 1/Container 2 confusing. Not really sure what they meant. Better language (e.g. where can this be found?)
Details (e.g. abstract), type too small I would also note that grey on grey is a problem here b/c many of these users may not have the best eyesight or computers
Long list of alphabetical files, not really sure what to do with them. Would be great if there were a way to search within components (this is there but is in another tab… maybe just at the top of the components list rather than in another tab?)
This tester was putting advanced search queries into the search field. Might be worth offering instructions that are easy to access for users who might want to do the same and skip advanced search.

Cliffnotes from Rice 2

Components - confusing term (what is a better term for this? This is not an archival term).
Search results - need more than just title to help the user figure out what they want to click on
Results that have no content should not be in the list
Agent Links is very confusing. Related Subjects?
More useful if the abstract etc. is at the top, and then related stuff is later on the page (or potentially sidebar it?)
Like long descriptions in the lists of components, very helpful (rather than just giving title)
WRC# to jargon what about a box that says “if you need this, here is what you tell us?"
No clear way to tell which items are digitized
Too easy to click on the home button
Clear all button surprises you by clearing original search terms, not just the filters you have set on that search
Breadcrumbs aren’t helpful as an indicator of where an item is placed, probably because of where it is located and how it looks? This information needs to be more clear

Cliffnotes from Yale 1

Menu categories at top sound library-science and not really clear what their value might be
Good to just start type away and search
When many search results, the pager is not obvious and happens after too few items
Would like to know what is in the box. Is this content entry or something we can put into the UI?
Unclear how to get back to where you started — breadcrumbs not as helpful
Misspellings when searching — Did you mean? realistic to potentially include that?
If the title has a range in it, user expects to see the list of items. Is this a UI issue or a content entry issue? Perhaps a guide for how to enter content would be useful?
Facets useful, but probably should be sorted alphabetically rather than diminishing number of items (or allow user to choose)
Try to think about how search habits are conditioned by Google

Cliffnotes from Yale 2

Make it more clear what kinds of things are found in ArchivesSpace
Search history would be useful
Something helpful on how to use advanced search
Under advanced search, format would be useful
Agent Links are confusing
Unclear that scrolling needs to happen to get to the details on a record
Visual difference in type (e.g. one item has all caps) confusing if it doesn’t have a clear meaning
Not clear what Icons mean regarding what items are
Search results show the collection level and component level results in one big blob and not clear what belongs where in that listing

Cliffnotes from Harvard 1

Item names like “folder 1” not helpful is this a content entry issue?
“Summary -> Agent Type” - typical user not sure what this means
Unclear what numbers next to repositories mean (item counts)
Search box, when using search box on a specific tab (e.g. subjects), is it searching just that tab, or everything? Not clear to user.
Likes that the number of results is indicated on top of the search results.
Would like to review the items that you found in a list (add items while thinking, then remove items before finalizing list)
Easy access to submit a request would be nice
Would be great if it worked with zotero or something else for citation management, or could create its own citation record

Cliffnotes from Harvard 2

Likes clean, but blankness of home page a bit troubling
Facets are nice
Unclear on difference between collections and Accessions
Would like to be able to search on call number right off the bat
Some kind of icon key would be helpful (or some other method of indicating what things are)
Had trouble getting to the digital object on the final test, too much clicking and unclear where it is located
Collapsed components (and that organization) is helpful when on a specific item that has components
In search results, context of items listed is missing
Ability to sort facets?

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