A QA Framework To Support Your Library Web Site Review

A centre of expertise in digital information management

A QA Framework To Support Your Library Web Site ReviewBrian KellyUKOLNUniversity of BathBathEmail: [email protected]: <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/>

UKOLN is supported by:

This presentation and associated files are available at: <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/presentations/lse-07-2003/>

This presentation and associated files are available at: <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/presentations/lse-07-2003/>


Contents

• Background• A QA Approach• The QA Focus Project• Application To LSE Library• Advice• Questions


About Me

Brian Kelly:• Funded by JISC to provide the Web Focus

advisory service to the UK HE and FE community• Based in UKOLN, a centre of expertise in digital

information management• Located at the University of Bath• Project manager of the JISC-funded QA Focus

advisory service

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Background

There is a clear need for checking processes for Web services in order to:

• Ensure that resources comply with appropriate standards in order to maximise their interoperability and avoid platform- and application-dependencies

• Ensure that resources work correctly today in a range of environments (e.g. Opera, Mac, … users)

• Ensure that resources can be repurposed: New devices such as PDAs Accessibility aids By software Migrate to new formats (XHTML 2.0)

• Ensure that the content is accurate, relevant, timely, comprehensible, …

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Approaches

A variety of approaches can be taken:• Centralised approach, with all publications being

vetted by central body• Periodic reviews• Peer reviews• Independent reviews• Automated testing• Manual checking

which may:• Check compliance against documented criteria• Be open-ended

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A QA Approach

An approach based on Quality Assurance (QA):• Requires documented criteria• Addresses work flow issues (why did the system

fail and how can we fix it)• Based on systematic checking, audit trails, etc.

QA:• May be considered bureaucratic and time-

consuming• Can be implemented in a lightweight fashion and

provide clear benefits to organisations

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QA Focus

QA Focus:• Funded by JISC to support 5/99 programme • Seeks to ensure project deliverables are

interoperable and comply with appropriate standards & best practices

• Provides advice on appropriate QA procedures• Provided by UKOLN and AHDS

Our approach:• Surveys of communities• Provide advice and commission case studies • Recommend QA Policies• Promote use of compliance tools• Seek to embed QA practices within institutions

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Application To LSE Library

The QA Focus methodology has been applied to selected resources on the LSE library Web site:

• Compliance with standards• Formats• Repurposing• Key navigational aspects

In addition some suggestions for enhancement are provided

Note the focus is on the technical aspectsNote the focus is on the technical aspects

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Surveys (1)A number of surveys of a selection of resources was carried out using a variety of automated tools

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Surveys (2)

Surveys (continued)

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Surveys (3)

Surveys (continued)

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QA Framework

Consider deploying QA Focus's methodology:• Make systematic use of a self-assessment

toolkit to validate QA (as discussed)• Provide policies which document standards and

best practices you will deploy, the architecture used for implementation and the approach to checking compliance

• Implement in areas such as metadata, software development, digitisation, …

• Mandate QA when commissioning new work

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See "Deployment Of Quality Assurance Procedures For Digital Library Programmes" paper which outlines CDLR's comments on this methodology for Victorian Times

See "Deployment Of Quality Assurance Procedures For Digital Library Programmes" paper which outlines CDLR's comments on this methodology for Victorian Times


QA Policies

You may find it easier to improve your Web site if you have documented QA policies and procedures

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See <http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/papers/eunis-2003/>

Area: Web standardsPolicy: Web resources will be based on HTML 4.0 and CSS

2.0. Resource will comply with these standards. We will seek to migrate to XHTML 1.0.

Architecture: Dreamweaver is the recommended tool. HTML generated by scripts will output to XHTML 1.0.

Exceptions: Proprietary format converted to HTML (e.g. MS PowerPoint) will not necessarily be compliant.

Compliance Testing: Authors are expected to check compliance when updating resources. Monthly batch compliance reports will be carried out and an audit trail kept.

Area: Web standardsPolicy: Web resources will be based on HTML 4.0 and CSS

2.0. Resource will comply with these standards. We will seek to migrate to XHTML 1.0.

Architecture: Dreamweaver is the recommended tool. HTML generated by scripts will output to XHTML 1.0.

Exceptions: Proprietary format converted to HTML (e.g. MS PowerPoint) will not necessarily be compliant.

Compliance Testing: Authors are expected to check compliance when updating resources. Monthly batch compliance reports will be carried out and an audit trail kept.


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Ask your Web manager if he can implement this lightweight solution

You will need tools to ensure that you comply with your policies

As an example of approach which provides easier access to testing tools, see the ,tools approach deployed on UKOLN Web site.

This approach:• Applies to all resources on

Web site• Covers HTML and CSS

validation and various other tests

• Some recursive apps (,rvalidate)

• Easily implemented with single line redirect

As an example of approach which provides easier access to testing tools, see the ,tools approach deployed on UKOLN Web site.

This approach:• Applies to all resources on

Web site• Covers HTML and CSS

validation and various other tests

• Some recursive apps (,rvalidate)

• Easily implemented with single line redirect


Exploit Advice

QA Focus has a range of advisory documents, case studies, papers, etc.

Feel free to:• Use the advice

provided• Contribute to the

case studies

QA Focus has a range of advisory documents, case studies, papers, etc.

Feel free to:• Use the advice

provided• Contribute to the

case studies

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Change Control Strategies

Strategies for deploying new best practices:• Training, organisational commitment, …• New templates, updating scripts, etc.• Use of automated tools

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The online version of Tidy can convert resources to valid XHTML

The online version of Tidy can convert resources to valid XHTML


Questions

Any questions?

Documents

A QA Framework To Support Your Library Web Site Review