Heuristic‐based user interface evaluation at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore

This paper presents the results of a heuristic‐based user interface evaluation of the gateway to electronic media services (GEMS) system at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. GEMS provides access to multimedia resources, bibliographic information, electronic document management, selective dissemination of information (SDI), booking of facilities, and several other services. Results of an evaluation of GEMS, based on Nielsen’s ten‐user interface heuristics involving 88 students, are described. Details of a separate task‐based study, involving 52 other participants, of the University’s OPAC interface are also given as a means to compare GEMS with the OPAC in terms of usability, task performance and other factors.