Usability of Digital Libraries during Information Retrieval by Persons With Visual Impairment in Selected Public Universities in Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Kiambati, Fridah Gatwiri
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Usability studies play a key role in advancing best practices in the design of
usable digital libraries. Users with visual impairment have been excluded in
design of digital libraries due to unintentional biasness towards the sighted
majority. As a result, these users experience difficulties when using the digital
libraries to retrieve information. The purpose of this study was to evaluate five
usability attributes of digital libraries from the perspective of a user with visual
impairment regarding information retrieval. The study sought to determine the
level of user friendliness, efficiency, user satisfaction, learnability, and the level
of accessibility of digital libraries by persons with visual impairment when
retrieving information. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology
was adopted for the study. The study used a cross-sectional survey design in
which 126 students with visual impairment and 12 special needs librarians were
targeted. Complete enumeration technique was used to select all for the study.
Questionnaire, interview guide and focus group discussion guide were used to
collect data from the students and special needs librarians. A pilot study was
conducted at the University of Nairobi to improve the reliability and validity of
the data collection instruments and enhance data collection logistics. A mixed
method approach to data analysis was used, where descriptive and inferential
statistical methods were used in the analysis and presentation of quantitative data
while thematic approach was used to analyse qualitative data. The study findings
revealed that digital libraries were not friendly to use by students with visual
impairment. On efficiency of digital libraries, slightly more than half of students
with visual impairment reported that digital libraries are efficient. On user
satisfaction with digital libraries, it was found that a bigger percentage of students
with visual impairment were dissatisfied. The findings further revealed that user’s
level of satisfaction was independent of their gender and age. Research findings
also established that majority of students with visual impairment found the digital
libraries not easy to learn. Further, the study findings revealed that digital libraries
were not accessible to persons with visual impairment and that some of them
lacked the basic accessibility requirements for the visually impaired as guided by
the World Wide Web Consortium standards. This study established that there is
a close interrelation among four of usability attributes; friendliness, efficiency,
learnability, and accessibility as they all correlated positively to user satisfaction.
The study concludes that prior training of students with visual impairments in
assistive technology improves overall user experience with digital libraries. Thus,
the study recommends institutionalization of assistive technology training as a
strategy to enhance the use of digital library resources among users with visual
impairment. The study also recommends involvement of persons with visual
impairment in usability testing of information retrieval (IR) systems such as
digital library to facilitate design of friendly, efficient, easy to use, easy to learn
and accessible systems.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Information Science) in the School of Education, Kenyatta University, December, 2021
Keywords
Usability, Digital Libraries, Information Retrieval, Persons With Visual Impairment, Selected Public Universities, Kenya