Usability: Perspectives from Research, Publishing, and Higher Education Institutions

We all want digital information to be readily accessible to potential users, but we may vary substantially in what that means or how to implement it. What do we really understand about user behavior on the Internet? Does usability mean simplicity of access? Does it mean "dumbing down" complex information resources or offering limited options to users? Does it encompass creative ways of providing access or presenting information? What has research revealed about common problems with websites or other types of digital resources? What kinds of methods are employed in usability studies? What are the responsibilities for analyzing and implementing usability at the vendor versus the institutional level? In this session, these and other questions will be explored by the panelists.