Front-end Study of User Preferences to Guide the Design of One Extension Website

Shimek, Sarah
Meyer, Nathan
Ernst, Julie
2012-10

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Front-end Study of User Preferences to Guide the Design of One Extension Website

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2012-10

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University of Minnesota Extension

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Extension programs are increasingly developing online education infrastructure, including substantial investments in creating interactive websites for target audiences. Front-end assessment of user preferences is one approach that Extension staff can use to ensure usability of these websites. A model study for the University of Minnesota Extension Driven to Discover: Authentic Inquiry through Citizen Science project (D2D) utilized structured interviews to assess preferences of a purposeful sample of nine potential users for a website. the website aims to connect professional scientists and adult leaders to strengthen authentic inquiry among youth members of citizen science research teams. Through an inductive coding approach to qualitative analysis, eleven primary themes and forty-nine associated sub-themes emerged from the participant responses, and were used to categorize research results and recommendations to guide the website design. In general, participants responded favorably to the creation of a proposed website to support inquiry work with youth, and saw potential for the site to facilitate connections with scientists. They reported interest in aspects of the proposed website that would support inquiry science through resources and tools, and help establish connections with professional scientists. Several participants expressed skepticism about the social networking features of the proposed website given the barriers of time, access to internet at project sites, and the extensive networking opportunities available either in-person or through existing social networking sites. Recommendations are being used to guide specific modifications to improve the planned website design. Moreover, the study approach proved effective and efficient for project staff, and positive for interview participants.

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