INFO 601-02 ASSIGNMENT 3 : EVENT ATTENDANCE BY UMANG ARORA
Information Architecture (IA) is defined as “simply a set of aids that match user needs with information resources.” (Davenport, 1997). In essence, it enables access to content by providing a systematic and primarily a visual approach to the organization of content and thus facilitates the quest for information. It aims to organize content so that users can navigate and adapt easily to the product’s functionality and find everything they need without much effort.
Logic Dept is a team of Information Architecture consultants, who provide research-based guidance to companies, using research to identify problems and finding functional solutions to build a better website and user experience.
On April 8th, 2019, Logic Dept hosted a webinar on the topic “Creating Inclusive Digital Spaces Through Information Architecture”, addressing the challenge of sharing different types of information with different audiences in a single space, especially when one of those audiences is underserved. Countless efforts have been made to create accessible content on the web for the differently-abled, but the conversation about creating accessible content for the LGBTQ+ populations is just beginning. The webinar was hosted by Sam Raddatz, CEO and Lead Information Architect and Clair Rock, Junior Information Architect.
Before, explaining how language and hierarchy can make a site more accessible to different audiences with varying levels of understanding and sensitivity using the example of The National Center for Transgender Equality, they briefly explained what is Information Architecture by quoting Abby Covert and stating a few examples, such as alphabetical cross-references system in the dictionary links in a website navigation, section labels and names of things in a restaurant menu, links in a website navigation, and the categories and labels used in software programs and applications. The speakers then mentioned and defined the common terms that will be used in the webinar.
The main focus of the webinar was links in a website navigation and how that IA affects how we use interfaces and websites. Clair went on to explain the idea behind this project, the process, and his decision of finding a website that focuses on LGBTQ+ issues. He wanted to address this project from an information architecture standpoint and wanted the website that served multiple and very different audiences. At the start of the project, he defined a few research goals : (1) How to make sensitive content inclusive to multiple audiences with very different backgrounds and entry points, (2) To help the trans community through improvements to a specific website by neutralizing the language and in turn normalizing the population.
Keeping in mind these goals, he started researching and exploring multiple websites and decided to use The National Center for Transgender Equality website since it had great content both for educational purpose and legal purpose but lacked aesthetic, and had a troubling kind of mash-up of content which made it difficult to navigate and find the required information. He stressed upon the fact that the findings through this research can be used in any other type of research as well. The multiple different audiences using The National Center for Transgender Equality website are trans folx, advocates of the LGBTQ+ community and folx from outside the community.
For research, they conducted two types of card sorting tests – moderated and unmoderated using the tool Optimal Workshop. Card sort is a method used to understand the organization of content on the website, it gives insight on how the users would expect to see the content and under which label. The moderated card sort allowed them to get a lot of qualitative data whereas the unmoderated card sort gave them a broader understanding of how people were interacting with the data. While doing the research they encountered a few things that can be broadly considered when doing any research with stigmatized audiences, such as recruitment. It is the trickiest part of any research, getting people to respond, volunteer their time and give their honest feedback. Especially with an extra layer of barrier, where one is trying to reach out to a community that’s been somewhat ostracized, it makes it even harder. They worked through safe outreach channels, internal advocates and made sure that they were clear about the intentions of the research. Lastly, they also considered the safety, confidentiality, and anonymity of the participants and gave them an option to stop the conversation or back out from research at any point they feel uncomfortable.
The hosts further explained the results of the card sort research and how they analyzed and came to a conclusion regarding labeling and navigation of the website for better user experience. In the end, the floor was open to question and answers and a lot of people had interesting questions such as what was the most interesting thing that you learnt? What would be the next steps into the project? How do you reach out to people who are difficult to reach like stigmatized communities? How has this work changed or will change your day-to-day work? Do you share your findings with the study participants, if so why or why not?
Some of the points to keep in mind while doing research especially with stigmatized population are (1) Use care, consider the safety and anonymity of both moderators and participants. Work with members of the community to boost the reach and trust. (2) Be inclusive, avoid stigmatized labels and language. Ensure tools and methods used are inclusive too.
References :
Toms, E.G. (2002). Information interaction : Providing a framework for information architecture. https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.10094
https://uxplanet.org/information-architecture-basics-for-designers-b5d43df62e20
www.logicdept.com