Website Usability Research and Mass Media.

Website usability refers to an aspect of digital design which is important in determining how users interact with websites to achieve their intended goals. Good usability ensures that users can meet their needs without frustrations through factors like efficiency, memorability, ease of navigation, prevention of errors and overall satisfaction. Since the creation of web browsers in 1993, researchers began to use the internet as a research tool specifically as an inexpensive data collection method. Today, the internet can be used as an electronic library for secondary information, primary tool for collecting data on almost any topic and has provided new materials for analysis. With digital media also, creation and consumption of news have shifted to online platforms making usability now central to digital journalism, public relations, and corporate communication helping in determining how efficiently users can locate and consume news articles, videos, and multimedia content (overall consuming habits &information accessibility). Poor usability can lead to high bounce rates, reduced engagement, and credibility loss for instance, news websites with cluttered interfaces and slow-loading pages discourage users from accessing information. The paper explores how researchers can evaluate and enhance website usability to ensure they come to a smooth and engaging digital experience during research process.