Abstract
Purpose– This paper aims to present the results of the second phase of a research project aiming to develop a bilingual taxonomy for the description of digital images. The objective of this second stage entailed the formal structuring of the taxonomy. It involved the choices of top-level categories and their subcategories. Design/methodology/approach– The taxonomy development process consists of several steps that are iterative in nature, and, as such, an incremental user testing needed to be carried out in order to validate and refine the taxonomy components. For the first validation phase, the card sorting technique was used. To increase the value of the testing, two different sorting exercises were performed by ten respondents, who completed feedback forms to provide comments and suggestions. Findings– The analysis of the data provided by the card sorting exercises and the feedback forms highlighted the difficulties participants encountered using the taxonomic structure. This step was especially useful in understanding why the cards of a group were classified together. A summary of the decisions that were made following the first part of the validation process, as well as suggestions to improve the final version of the taxonomy, are also included. Originality/value– The participation of the end-users is of crucial importance in the taxonomy development. The card sorting method is generally used in domains such as psychology, cognitive science and web usability. For this project, it proved to be an invaluable source to identify difficulties encountered using the taxonomy structure and dynamically suggested ways to improve it.
Purpose– This paper aims to present the results of the second phase of a research project aiming to develop a bilingual taxonomy for the description of digital images. The objective of this second stage entailed the formal structuring of the taxonomy. It involved the choices of top-level categories and their subcategories. Design/methodology/approach– The taxonomy development process consists of several steps that are iterative in nature, and, as such, an incremental user testing needed to be carried out in order to validate and refine the taxonomy components. For the first validation phase, the card sorting technique was used. To increase the value of the testing, two different sorting exercises were performed by ten respondents, who completed feedback forms to provide comments and suggestions. Findings– The analysis of the data provided by the card sorting exercises and the feedback forms highlighted the difficulties participants encountered using the taxonomic structure. This step was especially useful in understanding why the cards of a group were classified together. A summary of the decisions that were made following the first part of the validation process, as well as suggestions to improve the final version of the taxonomy, are also included. Originality/value– The participation of the end-users is of crucial importance in the taxonomy development. The card sorting method is generally used in domains such as psychology, cognitive science and web usability. For this project, it proved to be an invaluable source to identify difficulties encountered using the taxonomy structure and dynamically suggested ways to improve it.
