Usability

By delivering the information online, we are hoping to fully engage with as many people as possible. In order to get people to fully complete all stages of the resource, it is important to not discourage users by presenting them with cumbersome processes or requiring them to provided exhaustive amounts of information.

In delivering the content in the online environment, it is important that the idiosyncrasies, limitations and advantages of this environment are considered.
People tend to scan information quickly online. If users are presented with numerous/conflicting tasks, or required to provide extensive information in order to complete the task, users can become discouraged from finishing the task or distracted.


Essentially, we are looking for people to easily progress through three stages:

  1. Standard drinks information/calculator (including self-reporting on weekly drinking levels).
  2. Demographic information and AUDIT questions.
  3. Feedback: receive feedback based on self-reporting on weekly drinking levels and Audit Questions.


Stages are indicated at the top of the individual screens.

The overall goal of the resource is not for individuals to accurately measure their level of drinking; it is to provide them with feedback (intervention) based on their own self-reported drinking levels. In order to achieve this, users must progress to the third stage. If stages one and two are cumbersome, and require too much interaction/inputting of information, it is likely to decrease their chances of reaching stage three. With this in mind, we intend to minimise the interactive elements of all stages; while providing accurate, reliable, and valid measures - in order to base the appropriate level of feedback.


To achieve the overall aim, and to develop the resource within the allocated budget, it is proposed that the level of information contained is kept at its current level. Adding to the level of information at these stages will potentially detract from the usability of the resources and impact on the development work involved (budget).