User Experience and Accessibility Challenges of Electronic Theses and Dissertations
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Date
2023-11-17
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
INFLIBNET Centre, Gandhinagar
Abstract
With the increasing digitization of scholarly works, it is crucial to ensure that ETDs are
designed and presented to facilitate optimal user experiences for diverse stakeholders,
including students, researchers, and the wider academic community. Furthermore, it is
essential to address accessibility concerns to ensure equitable access to ETDs for individuals
with disabilities. This research investigated the multifaceted challenges encountered in the
user experience and accessibility aspects of ETDs. It examined user interface design, information
architecture, searchability, readability, and multimedia integration. By analysing user
feedback, conducting surveys, and studying existing ETD platforms, the research identified
common pain points and limitations students and researchers face. Limitations of user
experiences for ETDs, such as complex navigation, inconsistent layouts, and limited search
functionalities, can hinder the efficient discovery and utilization of ETDs. Additionally, the
research emphasises the need for enhanced accessibility features to accommodate individuals
with visual, auditory, or cognitive impairments. These challenges may include the lack of
alternative text for images, inadequate video captioning, or incompatible formats for assistive
technologies. Addressing these issues is crucial to improve the accessibility and usability of
ETDs.
The research emphasizes adopting user-centred design principles, responsive web design
techniques, and inclusive accessibility standards to enhance the user experience and ensure
equal access to ETDs for all users. It also underscores the significance of collaboration
among stakeholders, including ETD platform developers, academic institutions, and
accessibility experts, to develop guidelines and standards for creating user-friendly and
accessible ETD platforms. The findings of this research have important implications for ETD
platforms, academic institutions, and the broader scholarly community. By improving the
user experience and addressing accessibility challenges, ETDs can become more accessible,
discoverable, and beneficial resources for students, researchers, and other stakeholders in
the academic realm.
Description
26th International Symposium, ETD 2023, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 26-28 October, 2023
Keywords
Accessibility, Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD), Information Architecture, Multimedia Integration, Readability, searchability, Survey research, User Experience (UX), User interface Design