Metodologia para avaliação do nível de usabilidade de bibliotecas digitais: Um estudo na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to discuss aspects of applying a methodology to evaluate usability in digital libraries. A methodology that deals with the systematization of a usability assessment tool for digital libraries was used. The aim was to investigate the level of usability of the Virtual Health Library, applying a method that measures effectiveness, efficiency and users' satisfaction when using the digital library. Methodologically, it is characterized as a formal test of usability. This test consisted of a list of ten tasks to be performed while using the website of the Virtual Health Library and the Likert scale was used to assess users' satisfaction. A quantitative approach based on descriptive statistics was adopted to analyze the results. The test was applied between December 5 and December 21, 2011, at the computer lab of the Health Sciences Center of the Universidade Federal da Paraíba. The results of the usability test enabled us to measure the level of usability of the Virtual Health Library, which is considered to provide a high level of usability.