PGR website evaluation Update User testing conducted in
PGR website evaluation
Update • User testing conducted in late autumn • Report produced by Bunnyfoot (68 pages!) • Prioritised set of recommendations • Focus of the research was on improving top level PGR recruitment pages • Enquirers will use a variety of routes to information, can’t impose one route • Often enquirers head straight to department pages
Update • Expectation of central pages is limited: funding, scholarships, subject listings, signposting • Want detail from department pages: supervisors, details of research, sense of academic community
Consistent department pages • “In the best landing pages (the History department for example) information is clearly linked and connected. There are very clear launch points to further information, well signposted, and a clear progression from general to more and more specific information. All the information the user requires is available in a clear structure. ” • “Identify those departments who are producing wellconstructed landing pages and consider ‘templating’ these pages for wider use across the website – in terms of structure if not visual design. ”
Consistent department pages • Key message: give these pages some love • Start the discussion on how can we support consistent high quality across these pages in the future • Understand how departments approach this currently
PGR prospectus
Current situation • Print prospectus produced every two years • Due to start production of next edition in spring 2016 • Exploring if there is a better way - with input from DA Ops Group • Previously considered in isolation to PGR scholarships campaign and PGR website(s) • New faculty research brochures • Website user testing
Problem to be solved? • Does it meet the needs of enquirers and applicants? • Does it support recruitment needs of departments and recruitment teams? • Opportunity cost • Admin for print prospectus is around 3 - 4 months FTE • Is it in balance with resource for web, PGR scholarships etc
Usage and distribution 1 • • Between 7000 - 8000 copies in print run 4000 in warehouse currently Mainly for recruitment events both home and overseas Posted out to enquirers • 2014 - 500 requests • 2015 - 300 requests
Usage and distribution 2 Feedback from International Recruitment • Barely used • Largely superseded by the web • Only parts used are at the back i. e. research areas, and applying/finding a supervisor • Also interested in entry qualifications and funding
Dave Stanley d. stanley@sheffield. ac. uk x 21048
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