Approaches to evaluation of websites for public sector services

Version française

Date: 23 July 2007, Domain: eGovernment, Topic: Efficiency & Effectiveness, Benchmarking

Nature of the documentation: Conference-seminar-meeting proceeding

With the agreement of the author: Middleton, Michael R. m.middleton@qut.edu.au 

License of the document, Copyright : © 2007 IADIS

Complete title: Approaches to evaluation of websites for public sector services

Description (short summary):
This is a brief review of the developments pertaining to the evaluation of eGovernment websites. The purpose is to introduce an instrument which is presently being tested for evaluating such sites, and which is available from the author. This instrument enables the assessment and comparison of websites according to criteria grouped under the following categories: Security and privacy; Usability; Content; Services; Citizen participation; and Features.

This paper was presented at the IADIS International Conference e-Society 2007 held in Lisbon, Portugal, on 3-6 July 2007.

Original URL:
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/archive/00008740/

See also the recent report on Cultural institutions and Web 2.0  http://eprints.qut.edu.au/archive/00010808/

Abstract

The document reports upon an exploratory survey of the approaches that Australian cultural institutions are implementing to meet Web 2.0 challenges. It is given context by a review that is made of Web developments in order to characterize Web 2.0 applications. A sample of applications that have been undertaken internationally and locally are described under the headings ranging from business resources through to exhibitions, professional development and youth outreach in order to explore strategies for implementation. The applications serve to introduce business and technical issues that have arisen, including those involved in forming partnerships with peer institutions and with major Internet services. A discussion section follows in which challenges and opportunities relating to management and software support are identified under the headings: Access, Audiences, Authority, Collaboration, Current Awareness, Metadata, Policy, Publishing, Records retention, Rich Web applications, Seeding, Skills and Statistics. These are seen as common to those convergent areas of application where large repositories are endeavouring to enhance the digital access to their records and information artefacts, and engage patrons further. Each area represents a prospective domain of investigation for research institutions or the cultural institutions themselves. A conclusion summarises these findings with respect to the role that cultural institutions can play in improving access to and involvement with the cultural heritage.