Audience-Driven Web Design: An Application to Medical Web Sites    

We begin by identifying the problem of defining medical Web site credibility and then identify the gap in Web design research, a gap that fails to identify or address specific audience needs in Web site design. We then present our process for identifying and fulfilling specific audience needs, describe a framework, and present a case study in audience-driven Web design using the framework to guide the discussion.

Swenson, Jenni, Helen Constantinides and Laura J. Gurak. Technical Communication Online (2002). Design>Web Design>User Centered Design>Biomedical

Lessons Learned from Building a HealthWeb Site: Implications for Technical Communicators  

The presentation reports on an iterative design process using formative evaluations to develop a user-oriented nutrition education Web site, 5-a-Day, The Rio Grande Way, for a rural multicultural population in the Upper Rio Grande River Valley in Southern Colorado and Northern NewMexico. The presentation will outline the overall project and then focus on three studies. Study One, used a card-sorting process, to generate the basic structure and labeling of the Web sites. Study Two, using verbal protocol analysis and a questionnaire evaluated the prototype for the Web site. Study Three, using verbal protocol analysis, evaluated the redesigned Web site. The presentation will share the lessons learned in developing the Web sites and the share the lessons learned for conducting usability testing and technical communications. The presentation will close by highlighting the technical communication and usability lessons learned.

Zimmerman, Donald E., Carol Akerelrea and David Buller. STC Proceedings (2003). Design>Web Design>User Centered Design>Biomedical