Usability evaluation of DergiPark as an academic journal management system

JournalPark has been used extensively in order to research and realize publishing processes by many users of different profiles. The functioning of each module in such systems is important for user interaction and the sustainability of journal management processes. The aim of this research in this circumstances is; to test the usability of the author, editor and reviewer modules in the JournalPark platform in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. Effectiveness depends on the success and accuracy of the participants' completion of the tasks given during the test; efficiency, time spent on completing the tasks assigned to the participants and the number of clicks they made; and user satisfaction was measured with the System Usability Scale (SUS). The usability of the author, editor and reviewer modules of the JournalPark platform was evaluated by both real users and experts. In the first stage of the study, usability tests (observations and techniques of thinking aloud) and questionnaire were conducted with 15 volunteer participants. As a result of the usability test, it was determined that the participants who used the author, editor and reviewer modules could complete successfully (effectiveness) the tasks assigned to them and performed above the expected time. According to the results of the SUS the overall satisfaction of the author, editor and referee module participants regarding the usability of the system was measured as 54,3 and the degree of satisfaction as D. Therefore, the participants were not satisfied with the system. As for the second stage, cognitive walkthrough method was used and usability evaluation was conducted with four experts. According to the results of the study, the usability problems shared by the experts are unsufficient assistance and documentation, inconsistencies in the menus and subheadings, not correction of errors and visibility, access and terminology issues. Utilizing of the system without problems, simple and plain sentences should be used. The user should be informed about the present stage in the system by using graphical progress bars. The procedures being followed by the user should be guided with the helping documentation. The presentations and guiding videos should be kept up to date to increase visibility in the web page.