REFLECTION PAGE - Lesson 3

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What we have seen so far is that structure and organization as well as labeling and organizing systems of the web content is imperative to be designed by the IA in such a way that users can easily search and find the answers to their questions. If they don't find the structure of the content organized in a user friendly way, they may get frustrated and not use the site. This may reflect poorly on the site.

We learned that the choice of labeling and organizing that the IA makes for the website can have a huge impact either positively or negatively on how users perceive the site which reflects the company, the products and services and information it offers.

Some characteristics IA's need to consider when designing the structure and organization of the labeling is use a system that will be logical to the average user such as labels that are in some format or order:
-alphabetical-index, dictionaries
-chronological-archives, announcements
-geographical-traveling,maps
-topic-yellow book pages, consumer reports
-task-applications, things to perform
-audience-repeat visitors/bookmark the site, clutter free, schematic, self identity
-metaphor-trash can =recycling bin, desktop, folders, intuitive
-hybrids-mixed together of various things but laid out so easy mental-model to user

It is important to reduce the number of possible perspectives on what a label means to the user and try not to confuse the user by mixing up different kinds or types of systems or order in which the labels are laid out.

Another important aspect of structuring and organizing labels which lead the user to the content of the site is 'Controlled Vocabularies' which are predetermined sets of authorized terminology that organize knowledge for searching. This structure uses: theasuri, taxonomies, subject indexing. The words and phrases are selected to tag information so that is is easily searchable. (Wiki, 2009)

The Getty Controlled Vocabularies and databases are one such controlled vocabulary program and they are maintained by the Getty Vocabulary Program and aligned with ISO and NISO compliance (standards for theasauri construction)

The Getty vocabularies can be used in three ways: at the data entry stage, by catalogers or indexers who are describing works of art, architecture, material culture, archival materials, visual surrogates, or bibliographic materials; as knowledge bases, providing information for researchers; and as search assistants to enhance end-user access to online resources.(Getty, n.d.)

The goal for controlled vocabulary is to enhance cataloging, research, discovery and and education via making it easier to search for something. Some people don't know what an object or piece of art might be called. Structuring and organizing controlled vocabularies into metadata and tags aids labels and content for optimal searching and ease to the user.

Know your audience, use language, labels and design flow that best suits the site, the user and reflects well upon the company presenting the information. Most importantly, site navigation and site orgranization go hand in hand. The goal is to maximize information access and minimize the number of clicks needed to get to the desired information. (Miller, 2009) Make it as easy as you can on the user!

Miller, J. B. (2009). Internet technologies and information services. Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited.

The Getty. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2009 from http://www.getty.edu/research/conducting_research/vocabularies/

Wikipedia. (2009). Retrieved September 7, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controlled_vocabularies

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