Investigating the usability of an Integrated Research Automation System (SEAT): Heuristic Evaluation

Background and Objectives: Today, many hardware and software products, including office automation software, and web-based websites are used by employees, including professors and employees of different departments in offices. Websites are considered one of the main aspects of competition in any organization. This study aims to investigate the usability of the Integrated Research Automation System (SYAT): A Heuristic Evaluation. Methods: The evaluation was performed on the integrated research system software (SYAT) by 3 evaluators. They then evaluated the intensity of each of the ten options scored from 0 to 4. After each problem was classified as one of the 10 branches of Nelson's evaluation by the evaluators, similar problems were eliminated and the average scores and the severity of the deterioration of the problems were calculated. Results: A total of 92 usability problems were identified in evaluating the usability of the web-based software (system) using the components provided by Nielsen. The highest number of problems was related to the detection instead of reminder with (16 problems) 17.32%. The lowest number of problems was related to both compatibilities between the system and the real world, and the clarity of the system status with (6 cases) 6.52%. Conclusion: The usability assessment method is inexpensive and simple and the problems caused by websites and applications can be evaluated as feedback to improve them. The more accurate the needs of SYAT system users are, the more effective the system will be and the more satisfied the users will be.