Designing a proof-of-concept prototype for effective information retrieval.

Project Description:

This study was conducted on behalf of the Yazidi Legal Network (YLN), an organization dedicated to ensuring recognition, accountability and justice for Yazidis related to crimes committed against them by the Islamic State. Currently the YLN uses Google Sheets to maintain a bibliography of sources on Yazidis. The existing format is inadequate and the YLN would like to transition from Google Sheets to a secure, online site that is accessible and useful to users.

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefit of online access to the YLN bibliography to users. The study also explored how users prefer to access information, how they organize information and what they use it for. A mid-fidelity prototype was created as a minimum viable product for use as proof-of-concept for an accessible, online bibliography. This proof-of-concept will be used by the YLN as evidence to justify and apply for funding to further develop and implement the prototype.

A literature review yielded insights on information retrieval. Prime among these is that, in order to be useful, information must be findable. Findability requires the efforts of multiple disciplines, including expertise in usability, graphic design, information architecture, user interfaces, interactive design and user experience research.

User experience research was conducted with representatives of different user groups who were recruited by the client from their contacts and included legal professionals, academics and humanitarians. The research team also recruited subject matter experts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten users and five subject matter experts.

Following analysis and synthesis of findings, the research team learned that users need: easy, rapid access to information; co-creation opportunities; to share information across disciplines / languages; data protection; and the ability to provide feedback on source evaluations. These insights informed the creation of a journey map, personas, user scenarios and experience principles which collectively guided the development of wireframes.

The prototype meets the need for easy, rapid access to information with a standard search engine that has the option for simple or faceted searching to meet the needs of both beginner and advanced users. Also included is navigation via category browsing and by clickable maps. Furthermore, employing Nielsen’s heuristic design principles for user interfaces that support universal design ensured the interface is broadly accessible and easy-to-use.

The need for data protection is met with access controls enabling pre-screening and approval of users. Data protection is also supported by trigger warnings to caution people with vulnerabilities from the potentially trauma-inducing content.

Future prototype iterations may address other needs identified in this study. For example, co-creation could be realized by creating a space for Yazidis to contribute content, describing their traditions, stories or experiences and / or by creating a ‘wiki’-like space in which users could offer translations of source information.

The mid-fidelity prototype meets the needs of the client by addressing all the themes identified via research, either in the current prototype iteration or in recommendations for future iterations. These future iterations would require the support of multiple disciplines as outlined above.

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