A Contribution of Human-Computer Interaction to the New Process of Scientific Communication: The Case of ARCA, a Repository of Fiocruz, Brazil

Abstract

Institutional Repositories (IR) are tools of information and communication technologies (ICTs) which are altering the process of science communication and its impact on society. It aims primarily to improve the scientific communication of institutions internally and externally, maximizing its accessibility, usage and visibility. Literature searches indicate a lack of usability studies about IR involving users in the task of self-archiving, a fundamental process in the change of culture and behavior of researchers, which improves RI adherence and success. Aiming to know more about this question, a usability study with five researchers in accomplishing the task of self-archiving in ARCA is presented. Cooperative evaluation and post-test questionnaires were applied and possible solutions to usability issues were identified and solved. As a result, despite the recognition of the benefits provided by the use of institutional repositories in terms of visibility of their scientific production, usability barriers of the interface have been contributing to the non-adherence. Other barriers identified were language translation of the software; lack of immediate feedback overall, principally in the authorization of deposit; excess of information in the pages, often leading the user to error. By evaluating interfaces and providing solutions to usability problems of repositories, the area of Human-Computer Interaction has greatly aided in perfecting institutional repositories and the process of scientific communication as a whole. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.