Presentation by Vee Rogacheva.

1. OpenAthens is a Jisc enterprise
Recommendations for
improved user experience
September 2019
Vee Rogacheva – UX designer

2. 2
Poor UX is a
barrier for users
• Publishers target researchers but
do not recognize their needs
• Learners needs are not addressed
• Stronger case for OpenScience
2

3. 3
A complex ecosystem
Discovery and access are just a part
of much more complex Research
ecosystem of processes, systems
and tools.
Researchers and learners will look to
minimize any friction on their journey
to content.

4. 4
The log-in effect
A recent study by Piwowar, H. et al (2018) demonstrates
the positive effect on the number of citations per paper
when log-in is not required.
“Papers hidden behind a paywall were
cited 10% below world average (ARC =
0.90), while those that are freely available
obtain, on average, 18% more citations
than what is expected.”

5. 5
The alternative

6. 6
Accessibility

7. 7
What is Accessibility?
“Making a website or mobile app accessible means making sure it
can be used by as many people as possible.
This includes those with:
• impaired vision
• motor difficulties
• cognitive impairments or learning disabilities
• deafness or impaired hearing
At least 1 in 5 people in the UK have a long term illness, impairment
or disability. Many more have a temporary disability.”
GDS, 2019
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8. 8
WCAG 2.0 and 2.1
• Provide text alternatives for any
non-text content so that it can be
changed into other forms people
need, such as large print, braille,
speech, symbols or simpler
language.
• Make it easier for users to see and
hear content including separating
foreground from background.
• Make all functionality available
from a keyboard.
• Make Web pages appear and
operate in predictable ways.
• Help users avoid and correct
mistakes.
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9. 9
Accessibility score

10. 10
Access button

11. 11
Access button

12. 12
Access button
Group access options together

13. 13
Access button
Group access options together

14. 14
Access button
Group access options together

15. 15
Access button
Group access options together

16. 16
Access button
Signify a primary access model

17. 17
Access button
Signify a primary access model

18. 18
Access button
Signify a primary access model

19. 19
Access button
Signify a primary access model

20. 20
Access button
Place button in the first view

21. 21
Access button
Place button in the first view

22. 22
Institutional discovery

23. 23
Institutional discovery

24. 24
Institutional discovery
Inconsistent experience

25. 25
Institutional discovery
Wayfiner
demo

26. 26
Institutional discovery
Embedded Wayfinder

27. 27
Institutional discovery
Pop-up/overlay Wayfinder

28. 28
Remember user previous
choice of institution

29. 29
Remember user choice
Wayfiner
demo

30. 30
Helpful error messaging

31. 3131
Key takeaways
1. Make sure your content platforms
are accessible for all.
2. Provide consistent institutional
access signifier – The button
3. Provide consistent institutional
discovery experience
4. Remember users’ previous choice
5. Helpful error messages

32. 32
Any questions?

33. Thank you
OpenAthens is a Jisc enterpriseImages from https://unsplash.com/
Vee Rogacheva
UX designer