SURVEY ANALYSIS ON THE WEB:
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES IN
UNIVERSITY WEBSITE INFORMATION
MRS. SUNITA S. PADMANNAVAR sunitapdm@gmail.com
DR. MILIND J. JOSHI Systems Analyst, Computer Center,
Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra), INDIA 416004.
milindjoshi62@yahoo.com
Abstract :
During recent years navigation using web pages have gained a considerable importance not only among the academia but also amongst students, parents, industry and businesses, but the pioneers of the web were researchers and university teachers. Today, however, commercial websites offer a great variety of services, while the majority of university websites only offer conventional information, in many cases incomplete and frequently incorrect. This paper describes some of the services we consider of interest for a university website users and analyses some of the factors universities should take into account in order to convert their web pages into an authentic ‘website’. This study examines a content analysis of national and international universities website designing using 52 contents. Result shows that the national and international universities are offering same number of contents for their website designing and there are nearly equal features in selecting websites of universities.
Keywords: Internet; World Wide Web; Web; Website;HTTP; University; Search Feature
1. Introduction:
Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. The internet is a collection of
various services and resources. It connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both connected to the Internet. Information that travels over Internet does so via a variety of languages known as protocols.
The World Wide Web is a huge set of interlinked documents, images and other resources, linked by hyperlinks and URLs. These hyperlinks and URLs allow the web servers and other machines that store originals, and cached copies of, these resources to deliver them as required using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). HTTP is only one of the communication protocols used on the Internet. The Web is like a huge encyclopedia of information. The Web as an information source is an object of special interest to information scientists, and one that demands much new research. Web sites play a critical role in communication for increasing use of the Web as an information source both inside and outside academia; the centrality of journals in disseminating scientific research etc.
2. Related Studies
navigate through the hierarchy of a separate site and/or made through content that was generic and left them feeling unsure about whether it was relevant to their particular course. Unfortunately, the content on university websites often fails to deliver. The main reason for this is that the content does not appear to be written for its target audience. Dey Alexander in his study of ‘ How usable are university websites? A report on a study of the prospective student experience’ found that If universities want to successfully market their courses online, their websites must be designed to meet the needs of prospective students5.
The information present on university websites is very important. Prospective students use university websites to find what programs of studies are offered by a university. Current students may want to look up semester examination results online. Prospective faculty and staff may want to look up for jobs available at university. Most of the studies undertaken so far on university websites have been focusing on either information architecture (Gullikson, Blades, Bragdon, McKibbon, Sparling and Toms, 1999) 1 or on information organization (Corry, Frick and Hansen, 1997)2. These studies aimed at enhancing the experience of visitors on university websites. People use website to get information (Nielson, 1999). University websites primary goal is to provide information, especially to prospective students. However, it would not be surprising if university websites from various countries have certain differences. Callahan (2005) and Rajkumar (2003) found cultural differences in university websites of different countries.
A university website has two kinds of audiences: internal users and external users. Internal users include current students enrolled at the university, faculty and staff. External users include prospective students, faculty and staff3. Middleton et al (1999) recommended the content/ features for internal users such as Telephone directory, Library catalogues, News, Internal social groups / clubs activities, Timetable etc. They have also recommended the content/ features for External users such as Courses offered, Prospectus, Local city information, Mission statement, University contact, Job openings, Support and pay offered to staff and faculty, Entertainment information, Faculty contact information, Faculty research information etc. They further recommended a search features for university websites. Search feature would make it easier for users to search for specific information they are looking for. There are some features common to both internal and external users. For example, a telephone directory is useful for both internal and external users.
There is a growing interest in social responsibility of the corporations among academicians and practitioners. Companies now are not only expected to be responsible to their shareholders but to society in general. Universities, as the centers of knowledge generation and sharing, play a very important role in solving world’s problems by ensuring a sustainable tomorrow. However, it is questionable whether world leading universities are concerned about CSR and if they do, to what extent they are committed to their social responsibilities6. According to Mehran , Azadeh , Yashar and Mohammadreza in their study of ‘Corporate social responsibility and universities: A study of top 10 world universities websites’ find that world leading universities are committed to their social responsibility and they provide sufficient information on most of the core areas of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
What is a problem for most large university websites- Immense content challenges with multiple user types7 (ICCMUT). ‘Navigation Study on Current University Websites’ by Ken Kelleher shows that users are interested in accessing information relevant to their purpose in an efficient manner that is user friendly, meets usability requirements, Site Architecture, Interface design, usability testing, and best practice research help determine the best approach.
3. Research Question
In view of the foregoing discussion and considering the nature of present study, the researcher has laid down following research questions.
H0 International and National universities are equal component in website designing with contents.
4. Data Presentation and Data Analysis
Table 1: Number of sample websites (National Universities)
Type of university Total No. Universities selected for the study (30%)
Central universities 39 13
Open universities 10 3
Deemed universities 130 39
State universities 95 29
Total 274 83
Table 2: Number of sample websites (International Universities)
Name of Country No of universities Universities selected for the study (10%)
Australia 39 4
Belgium 16 2
Canada 69 7
China 90 9
Hong Kong 8 1
Ireland 8 1
Japan 90 9
Seoul, South Korea 34 4
New Zealand 8 1
Singapore 12 1
Sweden 14 2
UK 121 12
USA 94 10
Total 615 63
A university website has two kinds of audience’s internal users and external users. Internal users of university websites could be current students, current faculty and current staff working in university while external users could be prospective students, prospective faculty and staff, business people, alumni, visitors and local community visitors interested in news, events, etc.Table3 shows list of Indian universities selected for study while Table4 shows list of international university websites as below.
Table3:List of Indian Universities
Sr . N o
Name Of University Web Address of University Date & Time
1 The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad-500 007. http://www.efluniversity.ac.in/ 13-april-2010(10:00am)
2 Tezpur University, Tezpur.- 784028 http://www.tezu.ernet.in/ 13-april-2010(11:00am)
3 University of Gujarat, Gujarat http://www.gujaratuniversity.org.in/web/index.asp 13-april-2010(12:00am)
4 University of Jharkhand, Jharkhand http://cuj.ac.in/ 13-april-2010(4:00pm), 2-aug-2010(2:00pm)
5 Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar-470003 http://www.dhsgsu.ac.in/ 13-april-2010(2:00pm), 2-aug-2010(5:00pm)
6 Central Agricultural University, Imphal-795 004 http://www.cau.org.in 29-may2010(4:00pm) 2-aug-2010(5:30pm)
7 Mizoram University, Aizawal-796 012 http://www.mzu.edu.in
17-April-2010(1:00pm) 29-may2010(4:30pm)
2-aug-2010(6:00pm)
8 University of Punjab, http://www.centralunipunjab.com
29-may2010(5:00pm) 31-may-2010(2:00pm)
9 University of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu http://www.tiruvarur.tn.nic.in/cutn/ 31-may-2010(2:30pm)
11 Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar-246 174
http://www.srinagargarhwal.com/srinagar-hnb-university.php
http://www.euttaranchal.com/education/colleges/g arhwal-university.php
3-jun-2010(4:00pm) 2-aug-2010(6:10pm)
12 Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi-110 068. http://www.ignou.ac.in 3-jun-2010(4:30pm)
13 Kota Open University ,Rawatbhata Road, Akhelgarh, Kota-324010, Rajasthan, India http://www.vmou.ac.in/Default.asp 25-aug-2010(4:00pm)
14
Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University,Red Cross Bhawan, Shivaji Nagar, Bhopal-462016, Madhya Pradesh,India
http://www.bhojvirtualuniversity.com/ 25-aug-2010(4:30pm)
15 Netaji Subhas Open University,1, Woodburn Park, Kolkata -700020, West Bengal,India http://www.wbnsou.ac.in:8080/wbnsou/ 22-jun-2010(10:00am)
16
Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM), Gandhi Nagar Campus, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam-530045 Andhra Pradesh
http://www.gitam.edu/ 22-jun-2010(10:00am)
17 International Institute of Information Technology, Gachibowli, Hyderabad 500 019 Andhra Pradesh
http://www.iiit.ac.in/ 22-jun-2010(10:30am)
18
Gujarat Vidyapith, PO Navjivan, Near Income Tax Office Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-38-014
Gujarat http://www.gujaratvidyapith.org/ 22-jun-2010(11:00am)
19 Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana-Ambala - 133203 Haryana http://www.mmetmullana.org/ 22-jun-2010(11:30am)
20 Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore-560012 Karnataka http://www.iisc.ernet.in/ 22-jun-2010(1:00pm)
21 Manipal Academy of Higher Education,Madhav Nagar,Manipal-576119,Karnataka http://www.manipal.edu/ 22-jun-2010(1:30pm)
22 K.L.E Academy of Higher Education and Research, JNMC Campus, Nehru Nagar, Belgaum-590 010 Karnataka
http://www.kahe.edu.in/ 22-jun-2010(4:00pm)
23 BLDE University, Bangaramma Sajjan Campus, Sholapur Road, Bijapur-586103 Karnataka http://www.bldeuniversity.org/ 15-july-2010(1:00pm) 3-aug-2010(3:00pm)
24 Nitte University, 7
th Floor, Rama Bhavan Complex,Kodialbail,Mangalore–575003, Karnataka.
www.nitte.ac.in 15-july-2010(1:30pm)
25
Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISST), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Veli,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695022, Kerala. http://www.iist.ac.in/
15-july-2010(2:00pm)
26 Bharati Vidyapeeth,Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Pune-411030 Maharashtra http://www.bvuniversity.edu.in/ 15-july-2010(2:30pm) 16-july-2010(1:00pm)
27
Central Institute of Fisheries Education,PB No. 7392, Kakori Camp, Jaiprakash Road,
Versova,Mumbai-400061 Maharashtra http://www.cife.edu.in/ 16-july-2010(2:00pm)
28 Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Gultekadi,Pune-411037 Maharashtra http://www.tilakvidyapeeth.org/ 16-july-2010(3:00pm)
29
SYMBIOSIS International University, Symbiosis Vishwabhavan, Senapati Bapat Road,
Pune-411004 Maharashtra http://www.siu.edu.in/
16-july-2010(5:00pm), 17-july-2010(1:00pm)
30
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, V.L. Mehta Road, vile Parle (W), Mumbai – 400056 Maharashtra
http://www.nmims.edu/ 17-july-2010(2:00pm)
31 Dr.D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune411018 Maharashtra http://www.dypatiluniversity.org/ 17-july-2010(3:00pm)
32
Homi Bhabha National Institute, Knowledge Management Group BARC Central Complex, Mumbai – 400085 Maharashtra
http://www.hbni.ac.in/ 17-july-2010(4:00pm)
33 Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar-751024 Orissa http://www.kiit.org/ 17-july-2010(4:30pm)
34 Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, P.B. No.32, Patiala-147001 Punjab http://www.thapar.edu/ 17-july-2010(5:00pm) 5-aug-2010(1:00pm)
35 Jain Vishva Bharati Institute, P B No. 6,Ladnun-341306 Rajasthan http://www.jvbi.ac.in/ 17-july-2010(5:30pm)
37 Sri Ramchandra Medical College and Research Institute, 1,Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai-600116 TamilNadu
http://www.sriramachandra.edu.in/ 28-july-2010(11:00am)
38
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Vishwa Mahavidyalaya, Enathur, Kanchipuram - 631561
Tamil Nadu http://www.kanchiuniv.ac.in/ 28-july-2010(11:30am)
39
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Jappiar Nagar, Old Mamallapuram Road, Chennai-600119 Tamil Nadu
http://www.sathyabamauniv.ac.in/ 28-july-2010(11:50am)
40 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Ettimadai P.O. Coimbatore-641105 Tamil Nadu http://www.amrita.edu/ 28-july-2010(1:00pm)
41 Karunya Institute of Science and Technology, Karunya Nagar, Coimbatore-661114 Tamil Nadu http://www.karunya.edu/ 28-july-2010(1:30pm)
42
Chennai Mathematical Institute, H 1, SIPCOT, IT Park, Padur Post, Siruseri, Chennai-6603103
Tamil Nadu http://www.cmi.ac.in/ 28-july-2010(2:00pm)
43
Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science & Technology Vallam, Trichi-Thanjavur Highway,Thanjavur – 613 403. Tamil Nadu
http://www.prist.ac.in/ 29-july-2010(1:00pm)
44
Vel’s Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Velan Nagar, P.V.Vaithiyalingam Road, Pallavaram, Chennai – 600117, Tamil Nadu.
http://www.velsuniv.ac.in/ 29-july-2010(1:15pm)
45 Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya,Hardwar-249404 Uttarakhand http://www.gkvharidwar.org/ 29-july-2010(1:30pm)
46 Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi-221007 Uttar Pradesh http://www.smith.edu/cihts/ 29-july-2010(1:40pm)
47
Indian Institute of Information Technology, Nehru Science Centre, Kamla Nehru Road, Allahabad - 211 011 Uttar Pradesh
http://www.iiita.ac.in/ 29-july-2010(2:00pm)
48 Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, Uttar Pradesh http://www.jiit.ac.in/ 29-july-2010(2:30pm)
49
Nehru Gram Bharati Vishwavidyalaya, Kotwa-Jamunipur, Dubwali, District Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
http://www.nehrugrambharati.org.in/ 29-july-2010(2:40pm)
50 Indian Agricultural Research Institute,Pusa, New Delhi-110012 http://www.iari.res.in/ 31-july-2010(1:00pm)
51
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha,Katwaria Sarai, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016
http://www.slbsrsv.ac.in/
http://www.delhieducation.net/Universities/Deem ed/LBS-RSV/
31-july-2010(2:00pm)
52 Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, B-21, Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi-110016 http://www.iift.edu/ 31-july-2010(3:00pm)
53
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan,56-57, Institutional Area, Pankha Road, Janak Puri, New Delhi- 110058
http://www.sanskrit.nic.in/ 31-july-2010(4:00pm)
54
Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, E.V.R.Salai (NH4 Highway), Maduravoyal, Chennai-602195 Tamil Nadu
http://drmgrdu.ac.in/ 31-july-2010(5:00pm)
55 Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad-500 072. http://www.jntu.ac.in/ 31-july-2010(5:30pm)
56 Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur-515003. http://www.skuniversity.org/ 25-aug-2010(11:00am) 16-aug-2010(1:00pm)
57 Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh-78004 http://www.dibru.ac.in/ 31-july-2010(6:00pm)
58 Lalit Narayan Mithila University, Darbhanga- 846008 http://lnmu.bih.nic.in/ 31-july-2010(6:30pm)
59 Goa University, Goa- 403206 http://www.unigoa.ac.in/ 5-aug-2010(11:00am)
60 Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, P.B. No. 21, UniversityRoad, Patan-384265 http://www.ngu.ac.in/ 5-aug-2010(11:40am)
61 Saurashtra University, Rajkot- 360005 http://www.saurashtrauniversity.edu/ 5-aug-2010(1:00pm)
63 Jammu University, Jammu Tawi-180 006 http://www.jammuuniversity.in/index.asp 5-aug-2010(2:00pm)
64 Gulbarga University, Gulbarga-585 106 http://www.gulbargauniversity.kar.nic.in/ 11-aug-2010(1:00pm) 25-aug-2010(2:00pm)
65 Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta-577451 http://www.kuvempu.ac.in/ 11-aug-2010(1:10pm) 25-aug-2010(2:20pm)
66 Calicut University, Trichy Palary, Malapuram District, Kozhikode-673635 http://www.universityofcalicut.info/ 11-aug-2010(1:20pm) 25-aug-2010(2:30pm)
67 Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam –686560 http://www.mguniversity.edu/home.htm 11-aug-2010(2:00pm) 25-aug-2010(1:10pm)
68 Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore.-452001 http://www.dauniv.ac.in/ 12-aug-2010(1:00pm)
69 Vikram University, Ujjain-456010 http://www.vikramuniv.net/ 12-aug-2010(2:00pm)
70 North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon-425001. http://www.nmu.ac.in/ 12-aug-2010(3:00pm) 25-aug-2010(4:00pm)
71 Shivaji University, Kolhapur-416004. http://www.unishivaji.ac.in/ 16-aug-2010(1:00pm)
72 The Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur-440001 (M.S). http://www.nagpuruniversity.org/ 20-aug-2010(1:00pm)
73 Utkal University, Bhubaneswar-751004. http://www.utkal-university.org/ 20-aug-2010(2:00pm)
74 Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur-342011. http://www.jnvu.edu.in/ 20-aug-2010(3:00pm)
75 Rajasthan University, Jaipur-302004. http://www.uniraj.ac.in/ 20-aug-2010(4:00pm)
76 Annamalai University, Annamalainagar-608002. http://annamalaiuniversity.ac.in/index1.php 21-aug-2010(10:00am)
77 Madras University, Chennai-600005. http://www.unom.ac.in/ 21-aug-2010(11:00am)
78 Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal-624102.
http://www.motherteresawomenuniv.ac.in/ http://www.motherteresawomenuniv.ac.in/index1.
htm 21-aug-2010(11:30am)
79 Tamil University, Thanjavur-613005.
http://www.tamiluniversity.ac.in/
http://www.tamiluniversity.ac.in/english/index.ht ml
21-aug-2010(11:50am)
80 Choudhary Charan Singh University,Meerut-250005. http://www.ccsuniversity.ac.in/ 24-aug-2010(11:00am)
81 Lucknow University, Lucknow-226007. http://www.lkouniv.ac.in/ 24-aug-2010(11:30am)
82 Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi-221002. http://ssvv.up.nic.in/ 24-aug-2010(1:00pm)
83 Burdwan University, Rajbati, Burdwan-713104. http://www.buruniv.ac.in/ 25-aug-2010(4:00pm)
Table4:List of International Universities
Sr.no name Address date
1 Flinders University [FLINDERS] http://www.flinders.edu.au/ 25-aug-2010 (5:00pm) 2 Swinburne University of
Technology [SWINBURNE]
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ 26-aug-2010 (11:00am)
3 University of South Australia [UniSA] http://www.unisa.edu.au/ 26-aug-2010(11:30am) 4 Victoria University [VU] http://www.vu.edu.au/ 26-aug-2010(1:00pm)
5 Université de Mons-Hainaut http://portail.umons.ac.be/EN/Pages/default.aspx 26-aug-2010(1:30pm) 6 Vrije Universiteit Brussel http://www.vub.ac.be/english/index.php 26-aug-2010(2:00pm)
7 University of Gloucestershire http://www.glos.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx 26-aug-2010(2:30pm) 8 University College Falmouth http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/ 26-aug-2010(4:00pm)
9 University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ 27- aug -2010(1:00pm)
1-sep-2010 (1:00pm)
12 University of St Andrews http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/ 1-sep-2010(2:00pm)
13 The Queen's University of Belfast http://www.qub.ac.uk/ 1-sep-2010(3:00pm) 14 ChoneQing University of Medical
Sciences http://www.uestc.edu.cn/
4-sep-2010(10:00am)
15 Guangdong University of Technology http://www.gdut.edu.cn/ 4-sep-2010(10:30am)
16 Harbin Institute of Technology http://www.hit.edu.cn/ 4-sep-2010(11:00am)
17 Liaoning University http://www.synet.edu.cn/ http://www.cernet.com/
4-sep-2010(11:30am)
18 Ningxia University http://www.xanet.edu.cn/ 4-sep-2010(1:00pm) 19 Qinghai University http://www.qhu.edu.cn/ 4-sep-2010(2:00pm) 6-sep-2010(10:00am)
20 Shenyang Polytechnical University http://www.syu.edu.cn/ 6-sep-2010(10:30am)
21 Tong Ji University http://www.tongji.edu.cn/
http://www.tongji.edu.cn/english/inc/index.asp 4-sep-2010(3:00pm) 22 Xian Polytechnical University http://www.xpu.edu.cn/
http://waishiban.xpu.edu.cn/en/index.asp
4-sep-2010(3:30pm)
23 Lingnan University http://www.ln.edu.hk/ 4-sep-2010(4:00pm)
6-sep-2010(11:00am)
24 University of Dublin http://www.tcd.ie/ 6-sep-2010(11:30am)
25 Fukui University http://www.u-fukui.ac.jp/index.html http://www.u-fukui.ac.jp/eng/
7-sep-2010(10:00am)
26 Hokkaido University of Education http://www.hokkyodai.ac.jp/iwa/ 7-sep-2010(11:00am) 27 Kitasato University http://www.kitasato-u.ac.jp/ 7-sep-2010(11:40am)
28 Kyushu University http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp
http://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/english/index.php
7-sep-2010(1:00pm) 9-sep-2010(10:00am) 29 Nagoya University http://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp
http://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/en/
9-sep-2010(11:00am)
30 Osaka Kyoiku University http://osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/
http://osaka-kyoiku.ac.jp/en/index.html
9-sep-2010(11:20am)
31
Shimane Medical University
http://www.med.shimane-u.ac.jp/ http://www.med.shimane-u.ac.jp/english/
http://www.med.shimane-u.ac.jp/english/pdf/newprospectus.pdf
9-sep-2010(11:40am)
32 Tokyo International University http://www.tiu.ac.jp/ http://www.tiu.ac.jp/english2/
9-sep-2010(1:00pm)
33 Yasuda Women's University http://www.yasuda-u.ac.jp/
http://www.yasuda-u.ac.jp/top/en/ 10-sep-2010(10:00am) 34
Hansung University http://www.hansung.ac.kr/ http://www.hansung.ac.kr/eng/
10-sep-2010(11:00am)
35
Korean National University of Arts http://www.karts.ac.kr/karts/main/indexEnglish.jsp http://www.karts.ac.kr/ 10-sep-2010(11:20am) 15-sep-2010(10:00am)
36
Seoul National University http://www.snu.ac.kr/ http://www.useoul.edu/
10-sep-2010(1:00pm) 15-sep-2010(10:30am)
37
Sung Kyun Kwan University http://www.skku.edu/ http://www.skku.edu/eng/
15-sep-2010(11:00am)
38
Victoria University of Wellington http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/ 15-sep-2010(11:30am)
39 National University of Singapore http://www.nus.edu.sg/ 15-sep-2010(11:40am)
40
Umeå University http://www.umu.se/ http://www.umu.se/english 15-sep-2010(12:20pm)
41
Örebro University http://www.oru.se/ http://www.oru.se/English/ 15-sep-2010(12:50pm)
42 University of Brighton http://www.brighton.ac.uk/ 15-sep-2010(1:20pm)
43 Carlise College http://www.carlisle.ac.uk/ 15-sep-2010(2:20pm)
44 University of Warwick http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/ 15-sep-2010(2:40pm)
45 University of Exeter http://www.exeter.ac.uk/ 15-sep-2010(3:20pm)
46 School of Psychology http://www.keele.ac.uk/ 16-sep-2010(12:20pm)
47 Wilberforce College http://www.wilberforce.ac.uk/ 16-sep-2010(1:00pm)
48 University of Liverpool http://www.liv.ac.uk/ 17-sep-2010(1:20pm)
50 University of Sunderland http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/ 17-sep-2010(3:00pm)
51 University of Winchester http://www.winchester.ac.uk/ 17-sep-2010(4:00pm)
52 Swansea University http://www.swansea.ac.uk/ 17-sep-2010(4:30pm)
53 University of Stirling http://www.external.stir.ac.uk/ 17-sep-2010(5:00pm)
54 Golden Gate University http://www.ggu.edu/ 17-sep-2010(5:20pm)
55 Quinnipiac University http://www.quinnipiac.edu/ 17-sep-2010(5:40pm)
56 University of Idaho http://www.uidaho.edu/ 18-sep-2010(10:00am)
57 Baker University http://www.bakeru.edu/index.php 18-sep-2010(10:10am)
58 Northwood University http://www.northwood.edu/ 18-sep-2010(10:20am)
59 University of New Hampshire http://www.unh.edu/ 18-sep-2010(1:00pm)
60 Shaw University http://www. shawuniversity.edu/ 18-sep-2010(2:00pm)
61 Duquesne University http://www.duq.edu/ 18-sep-2010(3:00pm)
62 Union University http://www.uu.edu/ 18-sep-2010(3:20pm)
63 Gallaudet University http://www.gallaudet.edu/ 18-sep-2010(3:40pm)
4.1.Coding: A coding scheme is developed using the analytical framework proposed by Middleton et al.(1999) and Mateos et al.(2001). For this purpose 83 Indian and 63 international university websites are analyzed.
4.2.Unit of Analysis: - Some of the content / features to be analyzed not present on or not linked from the home page. Although it is the design consideration whether to include link to something on the home page, so it is decided to use entire website contents / features as the unit of analysis for this study. Value 0 is assigned for absent and 1 is assigned for present for every content/feature.
5. Finding of the Study
Pursuant to research question mentioned here in above, it is found that some contents are common in both types. Table5 shows the number of contents present in website designing with using 52 contents in national and international university websites.
Table 5: The number of contents present in website designing with using 52 contents in national & international university websites
No Content / Features of websites National University International University Number of
Websites (Total=83)
% Value
Number of Websites (Total=63)
% Value
1 About Us 83 100 63 100
2 University information [Email /Phone no / Map ]
83 100 63 100
3
Courses/Programs Offered [under graduate / graduate / post graduate / distance education ]
83 100 62 98.41
4 Admission information / Application[term dates]
82 98.79 63 100
5 Other information [syllabus, date sheet, revolution forms / procedure]
53 63.85 16 25.39
6 Exam Results 58 69.87 7 11.11
7 Departments / Institutes 83 100 60 95.23
8 University News 82 98.79 61 96.82
9 Facilities / Amenities and Services 61 73.49 40 63.49
10 Library Catalogues 74 89.15 53 84.12
11 Alumni Information 46 55.42 49 77.77
activities / student union
13 Accommodation 54 65.06 50 79.36
14 Placement cell 57 68.67 38 60.31
15 Culture and Sports 61 73.49 43 68.25
16 Health service 51 61.44 49 77.77
17 Old Exam papers 06 7.22 01 1.58
18 Current stud / Future stud 14 16.86 36 57.14
19 International students 30 36.14 57 90.47
20 Student Development 25 30.12 15 23.80
21 Student Exchange 10 12.04 45 71.42
22 Funds / Awards / Polices / Scholarships
62 74.69 57 90.47
23 Apply Online P-53,P/F-9,N-21 74.69 P-28,P/F-18,N-15,F-2 76.19
24 Faculty research / specialization 62 74.69 55 87.30
25 Faculty contact 55 66.26 34 53.96
26 Telephone Directory 20 24.09 19 30.15
27 Electronic Media 42 50.60 29 46.03
28 Search Features 40 48.19 54 85.71
29 Events 78 93.97 60 95.23
30 Date retrieved 19 22.89 18 28.57
31 Website language [English / Regional / Both]
E-68, B-15 100 E-32,B-31 100
32 Jobs 50 60.24 47 74.60
33 Parents 3 3.61 18 28.57
34 International [support / services ] 26 31.32 43 68.25
35 Video / Audio Ideas: 12 14.45 25 39.68
36 Quick Links 61 73.49 41 65.07
37 Visitors 37 44.57 14 22.22
38 Publications [University Journals / Books / Publication by Faculty]
53 63.85 24 38.09
39 Tenders / Circulars 44 53.01 09 14.28
40 Frequently Asked Questions 29 34.93 34 53.96
41 Virtual Classrooms / Virtual Tour 15 18.07 22 34.92
42 Feedback 23 27.71 20 31.74
43 Forth coming events 64 77.10 51 80.95
44 Freedom Of Information Act / Right To Information Act
F-0,R-47,N-36 56.62 F-17,R-0,N-46 26.98
45 Learning and Teaching 01 1.20 14 22.22
46 Local City / Town Information 18 21.68 31 49.20
47 Media 16 19.27 26 41.26
48 Business 07 8.43 24 38.09
49 Open Days 0 0 29 46.03
50 Developed By H/O-7,H-17,O-28,
N-31
62.65 H/O-1,H-5,O-0,N-5 9.52
51 Accreditation 33 39.75 26 41.26
52 Memorandums of understanding with other universities
42 50.60 19 30.15
Total 52.435 57.65
Table 6 : Chi-square test for comparison of university websites
Contents Used National Universities International Universities Total
Below 50 21
(20.19%)
23
(22.11%)
44
(50%)
Above 50 31
(29.80%) 29 (27.88%) 60 (50%) Total 52 (50%) 52 (50%) 104
Figure 1: Commonly used contents in university websites
Commonly used contents in websites
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Un iv e rs it y inf or m at ion [ E m a il Ad m is s io n inf or m at ion / Un iv e rs ity N e ws Li br ar y C a ta logue s In te rn a l s o c ia l gr oup s / C lubs P lacem en t cel l H eal th s e rv ic e A ppl y O n lin e F a c u lty co n ta ct Ev e n ts Jo b s Feedb ac k contents %v a lu e National_Value International_Value
Using Table6 we can conclude that more than 26 contents are used by majority of the international(27.85%) and National(29.80%) universities. For comparing two populations we are using Non-Parametric test-Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test. Table7 shows cumulative contents in university websites
.
Table7: Cumulative contents in university websites
Sr No National Universities International Universities D
f Cf Cf/N f Cf Cf/N
1 83 83 0.036087 63 63 0.033351 0.002736
2 83 166 0.072174 63 126 0.066702 0.005472
3 83 249 0.108261 62 188 0.099524 0.008737
4 82 331 0.143913 63 251 0.132875 0.011039
5 53 384 0.166957 16 267 0.141345 0.025612
6 58 442 0.192174 7 274 0.14505 0.047124
7 83 525 0.228261 60 334 0.176813 0.051448
8 82 607 0.263913 61 395 0.209105 0.054808
9 61 668 0.290435 40 435 0.230281 0.060154
11 46 788 0.342609 49 537 0.284277 0.058331
12 48 836 0.363478 41 578 0.305982 0.057496
13 54 890 0.386957 50 628 0.332451 0.054505
14 57 947 0.411739 38 666 0.352567 0.059172
15 61 1008 0.438261 43 709 0.375331 0.06293
16 51 1059 0.460435 49 758 0.401271 0.059164
17 6 1065 0.463043 1 759 0.4018 0.061244
18 14 1079 0.46913 36 795 0.420858 0.048273
19 30 1109 0.482174 57 852 0.451032 0.031142
20 25 1134 0.493043 15 867 0.458973 0.03407
21 10 1144 0.497391 45 912 0.482795 0.014596
22 62 1206 0.524348 57 969 0.51297 0.011378
23 62 1268 0.551304 48 1017 0.53838 0.012924
24 62 1330 0.578261 55 1072 0.567496 0.010765
25 55 1385 0.602174 34 1106 0.585495 0.016679
26 20 1405 0.61087 19 1125 0.595553 0.015316
27 42 1447 0.62913 29 1154 0.610905 0.018225
28 40 1487 0.646522 54 1208 0.639492 0.00703
29 78 1565 0.680435 60 1268 0.671255 0.00918
30 19 1584 0.688696 18 1286 0.680783 0.007912
31 83 1667 0.724783 63 1349 0.714134 0.010648
32 50 1717 0.746522 47 1396 0.739015 0.007506
33 3 1720 0.747826 18 1414 0.748544 -0.00072
34 26 1746 0.75913 43 1457 0.771308 -0.01218
35 12 1758 0.764348 25 1482 0.784542 -0.02019
36 61 1819 0.79087 41 1523 0.806247 -0.01538
37 37 1856 0.806957 14 1537 0.813658 -0.0067
38 53 1909 0.83 24 1561 0.826363 0.003637
39 44 1953 0.84913 9 1570 0.831128 0.018003
40 29 1982 0.861739 34 1604 0.849127 0.012613
41 15 1997 0.868261 22 1626 0.860773 0.007488
42 23 2020 0.878261 20 1646 0.871361 0.0069
43 64 2084 0.906087 51 1697 0.898359 0.007728
44 47 2131 0.926522 17 1714 0.907358 0.019163
45 1 2132 0.926957 14 1728 0.91477 0.012187
46 18 2150 0.934783 31 1759 0.931181 0.003602
47 16 2166 0.941739 26 1785 0.944944 -0.00321
48 7 2173 0.944783 24 1809 0.95765 -0.01287
49 0 2173 0.944783 29 1838 0.973002 -0.02822
50 52 2225 0.967391 6 1844 0.976178 -0.00879
51 33 2258 0.981739 26 1870 0.989942 -0.0082
Here, we have, D=0.064271 as highest difference
Therefore,
|D| α Dtable Table value of D at 5% level of significance with df as 1.36/√n, where n>35
0.0643 <0.1885 where 1.36/√52=0.1885
Therefore H0 is accepted at 5% level of significance with (n-1)=51 df
That means, the national and international university are offering same number of contents for their website designing and they are nearly competent in selecting websites.
It can be concluded that, (1) Indian universities has used 53% contents while International universities used 57% contents about their information on their websites that is no significant difference between the contents of the websites.(2) More than 26 contents are used by majority of the international(27.85%) and National(29.80%) universities.
5.1.Among the most used content / features are:
About us, University information, Courses/Programs Offered, Admission information / Application [term dates], Departments/Institutes, University News, Facilities / Amenities and Services , Library Catalogues, Alumni Information, Internal social groups / Clubs activities / student union, Accommodation, Placement cell, Culture and Sports, Health service, Funds / Awards / Polices / Scholarships ,Apply Online, Faculty research / specialization, Faculty contact, Events, Website language, Jobs, Quick Links and Forth coming events
5.2.Among the least used content / features are:
Exam results, Old exam papers, student exchange, telephone directory, Parents, Video/audio ideas, Virtual Classrooms / Virtual Tour, Learning & teaching, Business, and open days
6. Conclusions
Evidence has been found to indicate that, the researcher has summarized the entire research problem that has attempted to suggest how university websites are more informative by giving more information in limited time. Indian universities have used 53% contents while International universities used 57% contents about their information on their websites that is no significant difference between the contents of the websites. More than 26 contents are used by majority of the international(27.85%) and National(29.80%) universities. Non-Parametric test-Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test focuses that the national and international university are offering nearly same number of contents for their website designing and they are well competent in selecting the websites.
7. Limitations
This study has certain limitations. Due to time constraint it is impossible to study contents of all universities in India and abroad. Therefore random universities have been selected from national and international levels. The research does not contain study of design or information organization of university websites. The focus of present study is only on the types of content / features present on websites. As websites are updating frequently, same status of university websites could not be available.
8. Acknowledgments
9. References:
[1] Ewa Callahan, Cultural Similarities and Differences in the Design of University Websites, http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol11/issue1/callahan.html,(22/05/2011;7:39 pm)
[2] Liwen Vaughan1,Mike Thelwall, Scholarly Use of the Web: What are the Key Inducers of Links to Journal Web Sites?, http://www.interscience.wiley.com/,(23/05/2011;4:30pm)
[3] Rajat Chadha, Wake-up call for Indian university administrators?: A study of Indian university websites, University News December 1st, 2008, vol.46, no 48.
[4] Thelwall Mike & Smith Alastair, Interlinking between Asia-Pacific University Web sites, Scientometrics Journal, Volume 55, Number 3 / November, 2002
[5] Dey Alexander (2004),How usable are university websites? A report on a study of the prospective student experience, http://ausweb.scu.edu.au/aw05/papers/refereed/alexander/paper.html, (25/05/2011;2:30pm)
[6] Mehran Nejati, Azadeh Shafaei, Yashar Salamzadeh, Mohammadreza Daraei, Corporate social responsibility and universities: A study of top 10 world universities’ websites, African Journal of Business Management Vol. 5(2), pp. 440-447, 18 January, 2011,( 25/05/2011;3:30pm)
[7] Ken Kelleher(2003),Navigation Study on Current University Websites,
http://www.anchorball.com/architecture/,(26/05/2011;1:00pm)
[8] Srivastava T. N.,Shailaja Rego, Statistics for Management, Tata McGraw Hill Publications
10.Internet Websites:
1. http://www.education.nic.in/ihl/accreditedstateuniversities.pdf, ( 22/03/2010; 6:42pm ) 2. http://www.education.nic.in/higheredu/list-deemeduniv.asp, ( 23/03/2010, 3:30pm) 3. http://www.education.nic.in/ihl/listcentraluniversities.pdf, ( 01/04/2010;2:40pm ) 4. http://www.australian-universities.com/list/, (2/04/2010;1:59pm)
5. http://www.university-world.com/Europe-Universities-state.html, (2/04/2010;2:15pm) 6. http://www.university-world.com/Canada-Universities-province.html, (2/04/2010;4:30pm) 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland#Universities,
(3/04/2010;2:02pm)
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_higher_education_institutions_in_Hong_Kong, (3/04/2010;3:50pm) 9. http://www.university-world.com/europe-universities/belgium-universities.html, (3/04/2010;5:09pm) 10. http://www.hoyle.com/distance/colleges_int_china.htm, (3/04/2010;6:55pm)
11. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_New_Zealand, (3/04/2010;5:40pm) 12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_in_Seoul, (5/04/2010;2:32pm) 13. http://www.education.nic.in/dist_inst.asp#Open, ( 05/06/2010, 4:30pm)
14. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Sweden, (7/04/2010;4:54pm)
15. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_and_colleges_in_Singapore, (7/04/2010;3:15pm) 16. http://www.usastudyguide.com/usuniversities_uscollegeslist.htm, (8/04/2010;5:37pm)
17. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Japan, (8/04/2010;2:33pm) 18.
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/top-200.html(18/09/2010;4:00pm)
