Analysis of web-based information architecture using a combination of navigation stress test, usability testing and eye tracking

Abstract

Evaluating the Information Architecture in an already deployed website is not an easy task. Most evaluation techniques are focused on examining system usability, but this is not the only factor that influences IA. The main technique that deals with IA in already deployed web environments is the Navigation Stress Test (NST). A new methodology makes this technique more informative by taking NST beyond simple notation on paper. This work proposes the use of NST combined with other usability testing techniques such as Thinking Aloud and a usability questionnaire. Eye tracking also has been used to supplement the information obtained from applied techniques. This new methodology has been tested by analyzing a series of websites belonging to Spanish public university libraries. The results of this study show the validity of the approach used, as well as the value that this approach and the use of Eye tracking bring to the analysis of IA compared to traditional NST.