On Analyzing a Web Page. The website of the National Organization for Human Services - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: Paper on Analyzing Paper on Analyzing a Web Page Paper onAnalyzing a Web Page Introduction Technology is becoming extremely important in the context of human services. Web technology plays a crucial role since it provides global accessibility to a human services resource. A website dedicated to human services is thus a crucial instrument to meet the complex demands of the professionals and clients in this sector. In this paper, the website of the National Organization for Human Services has been chosen for analysis. Prior to the main analysis, the various criteria of evaluating a website have been discussed. Web resources and scholarly papers have been used to determine the analysis techniques. A careful scrutiny of the website has been accomplished with more stress on the content of the portal since the website has been primarily considered as a human services resource. Analysis In doing an analysis of a website (preferably an entire web portal), we must first focus on the analysis criteria and techniques used. A five step evaluation system can be utilized. This evaluation will depend on five mutually exclusive parameters: Accuracy, Authority, Objectivity, Currency, and Coverage. In terms of accuracy, the visitor must check the author’s information like an authentic email address, phone number, and/or mailing address. The authority of the web documents should be checked by cross referencing the URL domain. Objectivity involves neutrality and authenticity of the information provided. The website should be regularly updated to maintain currency, and the coverage involves the maneuverability of the web technology used (Kapuon, 1998; McMillin, 2010). Further, according to Smith (2001), websites must provide orientation information and the conditions for reusing the information must be made clear; primary concerns should be addressed and the print materials should be properly adapted to the web environment. Further, materials should be updated timely, metadata should be used effectively, and external links should be working and apt to the purposes intended for. Search engine optimization (SEO), accessibility, contact information, and related facilities are the other important considerations from the visitor/user perspective. In the sphere of human services, these criteria become even more important. The analysis process is furthered by means of technology integration and service optimization. Service quality is another critical issue in the realm of human services, particularly when the health sector is involved. The website should be associative, effective, and synchronized with the organization or agency to which it belongs. Hence, simple web technological applications and proficient database management become more important than the graphical and design aspects of the portal. (Welch and Pandey, 2007). The website chosen for analysis here is the website of the National Organization for Human Services. The URL of the portal is http://www.nationalhumanservices.org and it is accessed through the homepage. The website has six sections: Home, Conferences, Honor Society, Contact NOHS, Services, and Join Now. The Home section again leads to Event List, Regions, About, and Board of Directors so that even the first time visitor can navigate to the important pages easily. (NOHS, 2009a) The homepage is provided with excellent objectivity. It clearly lays down the vision and mission of the organization. The target audience of the web content used includes human service professional, human service students, and also the curious visitors from general public as well as the researchers. According to the organization’s statement, “The field of Human Services is broadly defined, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations.” (NOHS, 2009b) No doubt, this sort of information is unbiased and of academic relevance as well. The website provides authentic contact information of even its partners and the related organizations like Human Services Research Institute and Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE). It also provides the contact information of NOHS located at Woodstock, GA (USA). By checking the Contact NOHS and Join Now sections, the reliability of the portal can be testified. Moreover, the URL domain is .org, which means the website has a valid registration and the organization is specific to its purpose as it declares. Hence, the issues of accuracy and authenticity are well addressed. Although the currency of the website is not up to the expectation levels and regular updates are scarce, the coverage is excellent since the website uses simple technology, loads fast, does not need specific browser standards, and has utilized competent SEO techniques. The website readily appears in the search results through Google and Yahoo when related keywords are entered. The issue of service integration is also solved since the website addresses the sphere of human services through the following questions: What are human services? What are the pathways to careers in human services? What the human services professionals are supposed to do? (NOHS, 2009b) The technical aspect of the subject is further simplified as the organization states, “The shift in the focus of human services away from large institutions to increasingly decentralized, sometimes neighbourhood based, community settings has placed new demands on human service providers and workers.” (NOHS, 2009b) Conclusion Intelligent usage of keywords, authenticity, and impartiality of the website content is impressive. However, lack of currency of the information provided creates some trouble. The website acts as a wonderful resource since the simple html pages are easy to load and navigate. However, significant web based services like live chat, message board, and forum, etc. are not found. Advanced technologies like .NET or PHP have not been extensively used. Hence, the website is an excellent resource but it appears to be less competent in terms of currency, services, and gateways. References Kapoun, J. (1998). Teaching undergrads WEB evaluation: A guide for library instruction. C&RL News, 16 (1), 522-523. McMillin, P. (2010). Five criteria for evaluating Web pages | olinuris.library.cornell.edu. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/webcrit.html. National Organization of Human Services. (2009a). Home. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org. National Organization for Human Services. (2009b). What are Human Services. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://www.nationalhumanservices.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88. Smith, A. G. (2001). Applying evaluation criteria to New Zealand government websites. International Journal of Information Management, 21 (2), 137-149. Welch, E.W. and Pandey, S. (2007). IEEE Xplore – Multiple Measures of Website Effectiveness and their Association with Service Quality in Health and Human Service Agencies. Retrieved July 7, 2011, from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=4076588. Read More