HEURISTIC EVALUATION OF E-GOVERNMENT WEBSITES’ USABILITY IN INDIA

Usability is the pinnacle of interface design with the manifestation of need-based Website Interface as its key component in E-government Websites. This paper evaluated the select E-government Websites in India through a comprehensive content analysis using heuristic evaluation to determine the nature of distribution of the ordinal population of variables that may complement and contribute to a pleasurable user experience. Research Aim An Expert-based Heuristic Evaluation perspective was proposed to evaluate Homepage considered as a prerequisite for the survival of E-government Websites. Through the constituent dimensions namely Online Services, User Help and Feedback, Navigation, Legitimacy, Information Architecture and Accessibility Accommodation, an attempt was made to principally demonstrate the implementation status of Usability in these Websites in Ind ia. Theoretical Framework Evaluation of E-government Website Usability primarily considered noticeable aspects of the ordinal structure of Usability dimensions germane to E-government Websites. The validated theoretical framework enhanced by Baker (2004) asserted the demand side strategic considerations in E-government development in India. Methodological Framework An Explanatory Research Design rigorously investigated the Homepage Usability of E-government Websites by logically interconnecting various methods and procedures. The Conceptual/Thematic Content Analysis of a well- formulated set of ordinal Usability heuristics evaluated E-government Websites and presented with intensity of variables along a continuum across six dimensions. A Usability Measurement Tool comprising 14 Usability heuristics with 56 scale measures was developed and applied to a cluster of 17 E-government Websites in India for examining the implementation status of its Usability. Research Prerogative The available literature cites poor Usability as one of the critical factors for continued failure of E-government services in developing countries. Hence, an Expert-based Heuristic Evaluation of Homepage becomes paramount to address the significant gap in E-government systems besieged by several Usability problems. Research Implications The prologue to select Usability heuristics for assessment of the nature of ordinality of variables on Homepage of select E-government Websites provide an analytical framework for addressing high Usability standards for users to maximize benefits from E-government Websites. The findings of this study have a potential significance that may aid in accelerating India's E-government development.