Abstract
Background
Recently, public health data dashboards have gained popularity as trusted, up-to-date sources of health information. However, their usability and usefulness may be limited.
Objective
To identify the requirements of usable public health data dashboards through a case study with domain experts.
Methods
Paired-user virtual data collection sessions were conducted with 20 experts in three steps: (1) a monitored use of an existing dashboard to complete tasks and discuss the usability problems, (2) a survey rating user experience, and (3) an interview regarding the users and use cases. Data analysis included quantitative analysis of the survey findings and thematic analysis of the audio transcripts.
Results
Analyses yielded several findings: (1) familiar charts with clear legends and labels should be used to focus users' attention on the content; (2) charts should be organized in a simple and consistent layout; (3) contextual information should be provided to help with interpretations; (4) data limitations should be clearly communicated; (5) guidance should be provided to lead user interactions.
Discussion
The identified requirements guide health librarians and information professionals in evaluating public health data dashboards.
Conclusion
Public health data dashboards should be designed based on users' needs to provide useful up-to-date information sources for health information consumers.
Key Messages
•Public health data dashboards are up-to-date, trusted information sources that can be used to fight misinformation and improve health literacy.
•Public health data dashboards should be designed based on their users' needs.
•Evaluation of public health data dashboards with domain experts identifies requirements for making data dashboards usable and useful sources of information.
•Information professionals can use the identified requirements to evaluate public health data dashboards as up-to-date, trusted information sources for health information consumers.
Recently, public health data dashboards have gained popularity as trusted, up-to-date sources of health information. However, their usability and usefulness may be limited.
Objective
To identify the requirements of usable public health data dashboards through a case study with domain experts.
Methods
Paired-user virtual data collection sessions were conducted with 20 experts in three steps: (1) a monitored use of an existing dashboard to complete tasks and discuss the usability problems, (2) a survey rating user experience, and (3) an interview regarding the users and use cases. Data analysis included quantitative analysis of the survey findings and thematic analysis of the audio transcripts.
Results
Analyses yielded several findings: (1) familiar charts with clear legends and labels should be used to focus users' attention on the content; (2) charts should be organized in a simple and consistent layout; (3) contextual information should be provided to help with interpretations; (4) data limitations should be clearly communicated; (5) guidance should be provided to lead user interactions.
Discussion
The identified requirements guide health librarians and information professionals in evaluating public health data dashboards.
Conclusion
Public health data dashboards should be designed based on users' needs to provide useful up-to-date information sources for health information consumers.
Key Messages
•Public health data dashboards are up-to-date, trusted information sources that can be used to fight misinformation and improve health literacy.
•Public health data dashboards should be designed based on their users' needs.
•Evaluation of public health data dashboards with domain experts identifies requirements for making data dashboards usable and useful sources of information.
•Information professionals can use the identified requirements to evaluate public health data dashboards as up-to-date, trusted information sources for health information consumers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Health Information and Libraries Journal |
| Early online date | 08 May 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Early online date - 08 May 2024 |
Access to Document
- Evaluating the usability of public health data dashboards as information sources for professionals and the public: findings from a case study with domain experts
Copyright 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the author and source are cited.