Evaluating the effectiveness of a university web site design based hierarchical information architecture technique Abstract Dr. Chokri Barhoumi Taibah University barhoumichokri@yahoo.fr Purpose – The objective of this study is to explore the effectiveness of hierarchical information architecture technique used Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the information architecture of the web site of an academic university: Taibah University was analyzed form students viewpoints. The web site is available at the URL address: https://www.taibahu.edu.sa/Pages/EN/Sector/Sectors.aspx. Furthermore, in the present study, the descriptive quantitative approach, which included 213 surveyed students to explore the effectiveness of the university web site based hierarchical information architecture. Findings – Students feedback was positive and revealed positive attitudes toward the university web site. Indeed, the item, “Perceived ease of using the web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques" ranks first in the rubric “attitudes of students toward the web site and its adoption‟‟, with an arithmetic mean of 4.561 and a standard deviation of 0.585. The item, “general satisfaction of students by the web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques" ranks first in the rubric “General criteria of satisfaction‟‟, with an arithmetic mean of 4.580 and a standard deviation of 1.02. Hierarchical information architecture used in designing web site pages is a Originality/value –This article examined how college and university web sites meet the informational needs of students to propose a satisfaction model. Keywords: academic web sites, information retrieval, hierarchical information architecture, organizing information. 1. Introduction In today's highly developed academic societies, universities have recognized the importance of having websites to be able to benefit from appropriate academic communications. Having an inviting website that is easy to navigate and provides necessary and useful information is vital to any university. In addition, students' satisfaction from a university web site shows to some extent university's web success. New electronic service-based assistive information technologies are strategies academic institutions can adopt to better support learning and information research (Barhoumi, 2016b). With the creation of new technologies to design web sites, today, we speak frequently about organizing to facilitate information retrieval when using a web site-based hierarchical information architecture and visual representation of information and knowledge, which is an assistive technology that attaches great importance to user‟ information retrieval from web sites, a facet that allows for the easy find information in websites (Barhoumi, 2016a). The hierarchical information architecture used in designing systems is an innovation influencing user‟s satisfaction. Also users' trust increases as they perceive the system is usable (Barhoumi & Rossi, 2013). The objective of this research is to explore the effectiveness of organizing for information retrieval when designing the academic universities web sites-based hierarchical information architecture using e-map for designing hyperlinks. The present study aims also to investigate the importance of university's web site innovation and to propose a satisfaction model. Accordingly, the degree of guiding students in the university web site, and their attitudes toward hierarchical information architecture based e-map used for designing hyperlinks of academic university web site are the components of the web site evaluation. 2. Overview of the literature 2.1Definition of hypertext systems In his review, Balasubramanian (1994) defines hypertexts as management systems of the information stored in a network of interconnected concepts. The concepts contain text, graphs, sound, video, programs and other types of data. The hypertext systems allow access to the information in a non- sequential and extremely flexible manner by incorporating the flexible navigation of the information resources and its presentation, which is adapted to the user. The hypertext concept is comprised of concepts and links, whereby the concepts are connected by links. The concept that is at the origin of a link is called the reference, and the concept at which the link arrives is called the anchor or the referent. The contents of a concept are displayed by activating the link. The link has two functions, namely, it is the bridge between two concepts, and it represents the semantic relation between the two concepts. However, certain authors, including Halasz (1987), consider that these characteristics are not sufficient to define a hypertext and that, instead, the components of desirable bases include: 􏰀 A graphic user interface (GUI) that allows navigation inside the informative space to meet informational need of users. 􏰀 An author system that allows one to create and manage concepts and links in the map. 􏰀 An information retrieval system (IRS) to research information. 􏰀 A hypermedia engine that manages information regarding the concepts and provides this during requests. 􏰀 A storage system of files or database. 2.2 The Foundation: Complex, Open, and Flexible Habits of Mind The most important aspect of promoting flexible thinking is the adoption of more appropriate flexible habits of mind, such as worldviews, ideas, and similar types of knowledge built by an individual. Individuals often adopt the position of a knowledge stance, which, described as a reductive worldview, is comprised of a number of reductive biases (Spiro et al., 1987, 2006). In many cases, individuals prefer information and knowledge that is described as summarized and is dependent on organization to facilitate information retrieval. This represents a tendency to see the world as made up of events and phenomena that are orderly, predictable, decomposable into additive elements, non- contingent, and well structured. When these habits of mind are prevalent, the result is structures of information and knowledge that are more closed and, as a result, inflexible in operation. The alternative, which is necessary in complex and less structured arenas of information and knowledge, counters the tendencies just described with approaches that foster the building of information and knowledge and is characterized by hierarchical information architecture, multiple representations, interconnectedness, and contingency. All types of openness built into cognitive flexibility hypertexts are intended to shift habits of mind from closed to open and build specific content knowledge that consists of various forms of openness (Spiro, Collins, & Ramchandran, 2006). 2.3Hierarchical information architecture based e-maps Hierarchical information architecture based e-mind mapping technique, which was introduced by English scholar Tony Buzan, is a method used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas to support human memorization and facilitate information retrieval by users (Grabowik, Knosala, 2003). As such, a mind map is used to visually represent or outline structured information architecture. It is a powerful graphic technique used to translate the contents of an individual‟s mind into a visual picture. Since mind mapping works as the brain does, it allows users to organize, understand and retrieve information faster and better through the visual representation of knowledge (Spiro, Collins, & Ramchandran, 2006). Hierarchical information architecture based e- map, as an expression of radiant thinking, helps unlock the potential of the brain, and accordingly, hierarchical information architecture design enables users to easily sort through various details and recognize relationships among these details. There are essential characteristics of mind mapping that must be acknowledged and remembered when creating mind maps. First, mind-mapping users must identify and place the central topic at the center of the mind map, i.e., the principal subject presented to users. This serves as the central image or the focal point of the map. Second, the main themes of the central topic radiate from the central image, which is why mind mapping is known to be the expression of radiant thinking. Third, the second-level topics form the branches of the mind map. Forming a connected nodal structure, these branches indicate that the structure is profoundly interconnected by information organized in a flexible network. The simple mind-mapping design described by Spiro and his research group defines how mind mapping works. Hierarchical information architecture has additional advantages. This simple, practical tool enhances creative thinking and enables users to become more productive and efficient. 􏰀 Creating hierarchical information architecture in designing web sites is an excellent way to sort through ideas as doing so allows users to quickly generate creative and unique ideas in less time and provides users freedom when brainstorming so the flow of ideas is not blocked or hampered, as it is in linear thinking. 􏰀 The use of different colors, images, and keywords in maps of the web site aids in enhancing the users‟ memory retrieval and retention processes. Many find it easier to retrieve and remember information this way rather than reading long sentences. The use of colors, images, and keywords also makes learning more interesting and fun, which may motivate users to remember important details. 􏰀 Abstract concepts are introduced in cases designed to show the application of theoretical information as information in use. 􏰀 Multiple information interconnectedness in hierarchical architecture demonstrates the structure of the profound interconnectedness of information structured within the network of information that uses the power of hypertext systems to facilitate information retrieval in the web site. 􏰀 Conceptual variability in the hierarchical information architecture is one of the first moves in a conceptual variability search. By clicking on a concept or theme, one finds a variety of real-world examples that illustrate the theme and facilitate the retrieval of information (Spiro, Collins, & Ramchandran, 2006). 􏰀 Multiple higher-order conceptual themes in hierarchical information architecture employ multiple ideas and provide users with multiple entry points to facilitate access to and retrieval of information in web sites (Spiro, Collins, & Ramchandran, 2006). 2.4 Related studies on Designing university web sites based hierarchical information architecture A study of (Rezaeean, Bairamzadeh, Bolhari, 2012) investigate the importance of university's web site innovation to propose a satisfaction model. The survey was conducted among 270 university students. Results of the empirical analysis revealed that greater innovation has a significant impact on users' trust and satisfaction. More than that, innovation is the most important factor influencing the satisfaction. Also students' trust increases as they perceive the system is usable. Finally, trust has a positive influence on satisfaction. A study of (Khan, Ahmed, Mahmood, Bin Naeem, 2013) aims to present an improved and better understanding of important web site design components, satisfaction of users, and their interaction with academic library web site in an online environment. The findings of this study will help to design effective web sites and improved usability components. Survey has been used to identify important factors that appear to influence perceptions about web sites including web surfing activities, good graphics, number of links, amount of text and use of animations. The results specify that academic library web site users tend to prefer interactive web sites having the presence of basic elements and free from pop-up advertisements. Overall the study contributes to good library web site designing techniques, use of sophisticated features, standard components and implications for web site designers while developing academic library web sites. According to Morville (2102), the purpose of information architecture (IA) is to help users understand where they are and to facilitate information retrieval with respect to what they have found, what is around them, and what to expect. As a result, the IA informs the content strategyby identifying word choice and informing the design of the user interface, which plays a role in the wire-framing. Rosenfeld and Morville suggested that to be successful when using an effective IA, we need a diverse understanding of the theories and the industry standards for creating, storing, accessing, presenting and retrieving information. In their book, Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Rosenfeld and Morville summarized the main components of IA. Organizing schemes and structures: How information resources using theory to guide information architecture are categorized and structured. 􏰀 Labeling systems: How information is represented. 􏰀 Navigation systems: How users browse or move through information. 􏰀 Search systems: How users look for information. 2.5 Research questions of the study Tow research questions guided the present study are: 􏰀 Can the university web site design based hierarchical information architecture improve the easiness and the usefulness of the web site and hence the positive attitudes toward it and its adoption? 􏰀 Are students generally satisfied with the university web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques ? 3. Research method In this study, a quantitative descriptive research method was used to answer the research questions. The evaluation process of the web site-based hierarchical information architecture techniques was based on 8 criteria. Attitudes of Students toward the web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques and its adoption 􏰁 Ease of using the web site 􏰁 Usefulness of the web site General criteria of satisfaction by the web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques 􏰁 Degree of interactivity of the web site 􏰁 Degree of organizing web pages of the web site 􏰁 Guidance in navigating the web site 􏰁 Easiness of retrieving information 􏰁 Meeting the informational needs of students 􏰁 General satisfaction 3.1 Sample The sample was composed of 213 students from our university who were surveyed to explore their attitudes toward using the web site of the university based hierarchical information architecture techniques to facilitate information retrieval. Data sources 􏰁 The questionnaire was developed based on the content validity established by a group of university teachers. The questionnaire was used to evaluate the attitudes of students in the sample toward the use of the university web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques. The questionnaire was based on students‟ navigation experiences. Students‟ attitudes were evaluated using metrics that included Ease of using the web site, usefulness of the web site, degree of interactivity of the website, degree of organizing web pages of the web site, the easiness of information retrieval, guidance in navigating the website, easiness of information retrieval in the website, meeting the informational needs of students general satisfaction. The questionnaire is available at the URL address: To develop the questionnaire, the researcher used a Likert scale (Likert, 1932) with five typical levels, namely, strongly agree, agree, neutral, strongly disagree and disagree, with scores of 5,4 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data, i.e., arithmetic means and standard deviations. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFGJ94 zhJWWzhTqSUBiDV2_YWe87UEvoN6oBTr4XiJm wAzqw/viewform Table 1 presents the elements of the questionnaire distributed to the sample of students. Variable s 3.2 Justification of measures The following criteria were used to evaluate the university web site design based hierarchical information architecture technique. 􏰁 The attitudes of students toward the use of university web site-based hierarchical information architecture technique were analyzed to answer the first research question. This finding is an imperative indicator of the adoption of the university web site based hierarchical information architecture by students. 􏰁 The general satisfaction of students by the university web site design was analyzed to answer the second research question. This general satisfaction was based on some criteria (degree of interactivity of the web site, degree of organizing web pages of the web site, guidance in navigating the web site, easiness of retrieving information, meeting the informational needs of students, frequency of access to the web site and general satisfaction). In this research, the attitudes and the general satisfaction of the sampled students were gauged using a questionnaire that was distributed online at the URL address. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFGJ94 zhJWWzhTqSUBiDV2_YWe87UEvoN6oBTr4XiJm wAzqw/viewform 3.3 The model of hierarchical information architecture technique to structure and retrieve information in web site of the University Figure 5 shows the basis of the model of hierarchical information architecture technique to structure and retrieve information in web site of the university. 􏰀 The first level of information architecture technique is the homepage of the university begins with an e-map similar to a grid and is used to present all sectors of the university (college, vices-presidencies, institutes, committee, deanships, centers, departments) linked by a hypertext node. In figure 5 we choose the concept (college) to detail its principal sub-concepts (departments) in e-map of second level. 􏰀 The map clearly shows the architecture of the e-mind map in the web page and allows for random access to the information. In the e-map of the web page, the interconnections among concepts are similar to a network of complex knowledge. Indeed, the interconnections among concepts are structured through the hypertext system. 3.4 The application of the model of hierarchical information architecture technique to structure and retrieve information in web site of the University This research article is based on the following experimental factors: 􏰀 The homepage of the university sectors begins with an e-map to show all sectors of the university. It is a picture similar to a grid and is used to present all sectors of the university (college, vices-presidencies, institutes, committee, deanships, centers, departments) linked by a hypertext node. 􏰀 The map clearly shows the architecture of the e-mind map in the web page and allows for random access to the information. 􏰀 In the e-map, the interconnections among concepts are similar to a network of complex knowledge. Indeed, the interconnections among concepts are structured through the hierarchical hypertext system. Figure 7 shows the university colleges web pages based hierarchical information architecture technique. All colleges of the university are mapped in a single map similar to a grid and is used to present all colleges linked by a hypertext node. The map clearly shows the architecture of the e-mind map in the web page and allows for random access to the information. In the e-map, the interconnections among concepts are similar to a network of complex knowledge and the interconnections among concepts are structured through the hypertext system. Figure 8 shows a map based hierarchical information architecture technique. Web pages are mapped in a single map similar to a grid and is used to present quick access, public services, useful link, university in brief, contact, contract with university sector, enquiring about transaction, employee directory, calendar and news portal linked by a hypertext node. The map clearly shows the architecture of the e-mind map in the web page and allows for random access to the information. In the e-map, the interconnections among concepts are similar to a network of complex knowledge and the interconnections among concepts are structured through the hypertext system. 4. Findings 4.1 Students‟ attitude toward the e-learning resource course-based mind maps Table 10 presents the results of the questionnaire that measured the satisfaction of the sampled students toward the learning resource-based e-mind maps. These results are based on the students‟ perspective and use the six variables as described in the Table 2. 5. Discussion The arithmetic means of the results from the questionnaire that gauged the students‟ satisfaction with and their attitudes toward the university web site design based hierarchical information architecture technique are organized in descending order in Table 2. Attitudes of Students toward the web site and its adoption The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Davis (1989) studies the adoption of an information system in terms of its perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness on the basis of the intentions of behavior and belief in the electronic services (Harker and Van Akkeren, 2002). Perceived usefulness and ease of use determine the development of a particular attitude toward the use of innovations (Davis et al.; 1989). This attitude reflects favorable or unfavorable feelings toward the use of the information system (Lederer et al.; 1998). Perceived usefulness is defined as "the degree to which a person believes that the use of a particular service could improve his or her performance of the work". Perceived ease of use is defined as "the degree to which a person believes that the use of a particular service will be exempt from effort" (Davis, 1989). Results of the study indicate that the majority of students agreed strongly and agreed that the web site design of Taibah university based hierarchical information architecture technique is easy to use and useful. 􏰁 The item, “Perceived ease of using the Website based hierarchical information architecture techniques" ranks first, with an arithmetic mean of 4.561 and a standard deviation of 0.585. Perceived ease of use determines the development of a particular attitude toward the use of innovations (Davis et al.; 1989). In the present study, this attitude reflects favorable feelings toward the use of the university Website based hierarchical information architecture techniques. 􏰁The item, “Usefulness of the Website based hierarchical information architecture techniques" ranks second, with an arithmetic mean of 4.415 and a standard deviation of 0.885. Perceived usefulness determine the development of a particular attitude toward the use of innovations (Davis et al.; 1989). In the present study, this attitude reflects favorable feelings toward the use of the university Website based hierarchical information architecture techniques. The standard deviation of the variables “Perceived ease of using the web site " and “Perceived ease of using the web site " are equal to 0.585 and 0.885 respectively. These SDs are show a long age of the sample and the possibility of generalizing the results to the entire student community. Based on the results of the easiness and the usefulness of the web site, we answer the first research question, “Can the University web site design based hierarchical information architecture improve the easiness and usefulness of the website and hence the positive attitudes toward it and its adoption?" General criteria of student’s satisfaction The item, “General satisfaction of students by using the university web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques" ranks first, with an arithmetic mean of 4.58 and a standard deviation of 1.02. The item, “Easiness of retrieving information" ranks second, with an arithmetic mean of 4.514 and a standard deviation of 1.004. The item, “Degree of interactivity of the web site” ranks third, with an arithmetic mean of 4.401 and a standard deviation of 0.878. The item, “Guidance in navigating the web site” ranks fourth, with an arithmetic mean of 4.382 and a standard deviation of 0.881. The item, “Degree of organizing web pages of the web site” ranks fifth, with an arithmetic mean of 4.377 and a standard deviation of 0.891. The item, “Meeting the informational needs of students” ranks sixth, with an arithmetic mean of 4.358 and a standard deviation of 0.915. Web pages in the university web site is organized in the hierarchical information architecture in such a way that exploits the power of structured hypertext, which is adopted for designing the web site and has a remarkably positive effect on student‟s satisfaction by navigating in the web site. The university web site design based hierarchical information architecture techniques egree of interactivity of the university web site. Results show that students are guided in navigating the web site and Results show also that web pages of the university web site are well structured and organized hierarchically. Based on the results of general criteria of student‟s satisfaction by the university web site, we answer the second research question, “re students generally satisfied with the University web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques?" Results of General criteria of student‟s satisfaction by the university web site design based hierarchical information architecture techniques conform to the recommendations of Spiro et al., (2006) indicating that in many cases, individuals prefer information and knowledge that is described as summarized and is dependent on organization to facilitate information retrieval. Results of the study conform to study of Rezaeean, Bairamzadeh, Bolhari (2012) general criteria of student‟s satisfaction conform Grabowik and Knosala (2003) hierarchical information architecture based e-mind mapping technique, which was introduced by English scholar Tony Buzan, is an effective method used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas to support human memorization and facilitate information retrieval by users. investigating the importance of university's web site innovation to propose a satisfaction model for students. The survey was conducted among 270 university students. Results of the empirical analysis revealed that greater innovation in designing web sites has a significant impact on users' trust and satisfaction. Results of to the recommendations of suggesting that h The results of the effectiveness of using the university web site based hierarchical information architecture techniques are in accordance with the recommendation of Jamieson (2012), which suggests that organizing information in resources and systems is effective for meeting specific informational needs. The hierarchical information architecture techniques can be used effectively by web site designers as a tool to facilitate information retrieval by students and to meet their informational needs. The major advantage of this approach is the intuitive visual representation of knowledge achieved through the use of the information architecture techniques applied to the resources and system, e.g., web sites, Blackboard, Moodle, etc., (Jamieson, 2012). Additionally, all results of the present study conform to the recommendations of Morville (2012) in his study of the information architectures and their use in helping users understand where they are, what they have found, what is around them, and what to expect. By playing an important role in the wire-framing and prototyping processes, the information architecture informs the content strategy by identifying word choice and informing user interface design and online interaction design (Morville, 2012). Results of the study shows that hierarchical information architecture applied to designing university web sites is a great way to organize concepts in the web site to facilitate information retrieval by students. By using a single map that presents abstract concepts of a resource, map designers and developers of web sites can place a huge amount of information in the map and verify its connections to facilitate its retrieval by online users. It is easier to make connections because users access all of the information about a particular topic in a single glance. It can even help users of the web site discover new relationships among seemingly unrelated ideas and information. Results show also that hierarchical information architecture in designing web sites increases creativity and productivity. It is an excellent tool for generating more ideas in the structure of information, identifying relationships among the various pieces of information from a resource, and effectively improving users‟ memory and information retrieval and retention abilities. 6. Conclusion This paper investigates the reality of the web site design based hierarchical information architecture technique. Based on the results of the experiments and the attitudinal data, this article reveals the effective role of web site design based hierarchical information architecture in creating well organized and structured university web site that support instructional information retrieval and that have become important due to the increasing influence of new technologies and alternative study modes. As a result of the present study, the researcher suggests the adoption of information structure-based hierarchical architecture and their application in designing university web site. Currently, the hierarchical information architecture technique is suitable for structuring web pages and hyperlinks of the university web sites, as its effectiveness is demonstrated by students‟ positive attitudes toward the university web site based hierarchical information architecture technique. By using the hierarchical information architecture technique to organize the web pages within the university web site, students can acquire the capacity to quickly advance from one type of data processing to another and then easily memorize and retrieve information. All pages of the university web site have the same probability of being accessed by students. This article helps university web site designers the highest provide a solution to create a university web site based hierarchical information architecture technique