Assessing Perceived Usability of the Data Curation Profiles Toolkit Using the Technology Acceptance Model

Authors

Tao Zhang, Purdue UniversityFollow
Lisa Zilinski, Carnegie Mellon UniversityFollow
D. Scott Brandt, Purdue University LibrariesFollow
Jacob Carlson, University of Michigan - Ann ArborFollow

Comments

This is the published PDF version of Zhang, T., Zilinski, L., Brandt, D. S., Carlson, J. (2015). Assessing Perceived Usability of the Data Curation Profile Toolkit Using the Technology Acceptance Model. International Journal of Digital Curation, 10(1), 48-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.2218/ijdc.v10i1.344

Abstract

The Data Curation Profiles Toolkit (DCPT) emerged out of a Purdue University Libraries’ 2004 initiative to engage in multidisciplinary research. It is a tool developed to assist librarians and other information professionals to conduct data interviews and identify needs of researchers in managing, sharing, or curating their data. The DCPT has been widely adopted and applied in various contexts but its usability as a tool has not been formally assessed. To address this need, we have conducted a survey of users of the DCPT. The survey included quantitative measures of potential influencing factors of using the DCPT and its perceived usability (its usefulness as a tool and its ease of use). Open-ended questions about users’ experiences with the DCPT were also included to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the tool as well as areas that could be improved. Factor analysis of the quantitative results and subsequent regression models revealed several underlying factors that affect the perceived usability of the DCPT. Responses to the open-ended questions revealed several themes of users’ concerns: the amount of time required to use the DCPT, the structure and format of the DCPT, alignment of the DCPT with particular contexts, and the use of the DCPT to engage faculty and the library community. By correlating themes identified from the open-ended questions with the analysis of quantitative data, this paper provides the first set of empirical assessment of the DCPT that could help further improve the toolkit’s usability based on user needs and expectations. The methodology used in the study could readily be applied to assess and improve the utility of other tools used by data and information professionals.

Keywords

Data Curation Profiles Toolkit, usability, technology acceptance model

Date of this Version

2015

DOI

10.2218/ijdc.v10i1.344

Recommended Citation

Zhang, T., Zilinski, L., Brandt, D. S., Carlson, J. (2015). Assessing Perceived Usability of the Data Curation Profile Toolkit Using the Technology Acceptance Model. International Journal of Digital Curation, 10(1), 48-67.