RESOURCE EXPANSION: LIBRARY WEBSITE
RESOURCE EXPANSION: LIBRARY WEBSITE
Material research & information architecture
Material research & information architecture
BRIEF
BRIEF
The Library of Emily Carr University (ECU) was looking to expand their research guides and improve the ways in which students access information on Ethics in Health Research and Research Creation, by researching and creating additional student materials.
The Library of Emily Carr University (ECU) was looking to expand their research guides and improve the ways in which students access information on Ethics in Health Research and Research Creation, by researching and creating additional student materials.
Research guides are collections of resources (both from the library and external) on select topics, meant to support students and staff through the curriculum.
Research guides are collections of resources (both from the library and external) on select topics, meant to support students and staff through the curriculum.
Through competitor analysis and in dialogue with users, my goal was to create accessible and easy-to-navigate pages that would:
Through competitor analysis and in dialogue with users, my goal was to create accessible and easy-to-navigate pages that would:
Recognize intersecting needs
Recognize intersecting needs
Resources that would support students, professors and administrative staff
Resources that would support students, professors and administrative staff
Support learning beyond
the classroom
Support learning beyond
the classroom
For students to independently pursue topics introduced in class
For students to independently pursue topics introduced in class
Expand upon existing ideas
Expand upon existing ideas
Introduce new concepts and highlight different areas of practice
Introduce new concepts and highlight different areas of practice
My Role
My Role
UX research
Website design
Information architecture
Accessibility audit
UX research
Website design
Information architecture
Accessibility audit
Deliverables
Deliverables
Two library website pages:
Research Creation &
Health Research Ethics
List of suggested resources and research materials for future library expansion
Two library website pages:
Research Creation & Health Research Ethics
List of suggested resources and research materials for future library expansion
Tools Used
Tools Used
LibGuides by Springshare (as content creation & management platform)
Miro (for visual research analysis)
LibGuides by Springshare (as content creation & management platform)
Miro (for visual research analysis)
Background RESEARCH
Background RESEARCH
Platform Assessment
Platform Assessment
Before any further work, I wanted to see what materials and resources are currently available on the ECU website.
Before any further work, I wanted to see what materials and resources are currently available on the ECU website.
The gap was noticeable early on: there was a lot of missing context as the existing materials didn’t cover the range of insights available within each topic of research creation and ethics in health research.
The gap was noticeable early on: there was a lot of missing context as the existing materials didn’t cover the range of insights available within each topic of research creation and ethics in health research.
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Since ECU is foremost a “university of art & design” I wanted to take a better look at what resources other creative institutions use. As such, my first step was to research and analyze library content of other creative-focused universities and colleges in Canada.
Since ECU is foremost a “university of art & design” I wanted to take a better look at what resources other creative institutions use. As such, my first step was to research and analyze library content of other creative-focused universities and colleges in Canada.
Keeping in mind the country was important, as other places may use different terminology, than what is recognized in Canada.
Keeping in mind the country was important, as other places may use different terminology, than what is recognized in Canada.
Key discovery: Gap in Access
Key discovery: Gap in Access
While there are many resources dedicated to research creation and ethics in health research, most post-secondary institutions provided either none or limited access to these materials.
While there are many resources dedicated to research creation and ethics in health research, most post-secondary institutions provided either none or limited access to these materials.
This signified a gap between what information students might need and what is available to them.
This signified a gap between what information students might need and what is available to them.
user RESEARCH
user RESEARCH
Approach & Methods
Approach & Methods
We wanted to hear from current students, staff and faculty about what resources might be missing based on their personal experience with studying, teaching and working with the topics of health design and design creation.
We wanted to hear from current students, staff and faculty about what resources might be missing based on their personal experience with studying, teaching and working with the topics of health design and design creation.
Goals
Goals
Learn what resources are being used
Gather materials to expand the guides
Improve overall usability experience
Learn what resources are being used
Gather materials to expand the guides
Improve overall usability experience
Methods
Methods
One-on-one interviews
Email surveys & questionnaires
Thematic analysis
One-on-one interviews
Email surveys & questionnaires
Thematic analysis
Participants
Participants
Students of various degree levels
Department of Design faculty
Administrative & managerial staff
Students of various degree levels
Department of Design faculty
Administrative & managerial staff
Analysis & Insights
Analysis & Insights
After reviewing notes and the resources participants shared, I organized them in a comprehensive cluster map, following Thematic Analysis method.
This allowed me establish key concept themes, which would later become pages and subpages for the website.
After reviewing notes and the resources participants shared, I organized them in a comprehensive cluster map, following Thematic Analysis method.
This allowed me establish key concept themes, which would later become pages and subpages for the website.
Key discovery: Expanding Usability
Key discovery: Expanding Usability
In addition to the materials I established as missing from the library website, participants requested:
Information that exists on the ECU platform, but cannot be easily found without knowing where to click
Introductory materials for those just getting started (glossary, network communities, how-to)
In addition to the materials I established as missing from the library website, participants requested:
Information that exists on the ECU platform, but cannot be easily found without knowing where to click
Introductory materials for those just getting started (glossary, network communities, how-to)
Which helped me better understand the types of resources I can create to better support the users.
Which helped me better understand the types of resources I can create to better support the users.
As such, I evaluated the materials gathered in secondary research against the topics mentioned in the interviews.
I then combined the key outcomes with the resources that interview participants shared through the surveys, creating an information ecosystem
As such, I evaluated the materials gathered in secondary research against the topics mentioned in the interviews.
I then combined the key outcomes with the resources that interview participants shared through the surveys, creating an information ecosystem
FINAL OUTCOMES
FINAL OUTCOMES
Ethics in Health Research
Ethics in Health Research
In addition to providing materials that would inform students on the importance of ethics when working with different groups (such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, etc.) that the guide has began to cover, I included additional sections:
In addition to providing materials that would inform students on the importance of ethics when working with different groups (such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, etc.) that the guide has began to cover, I included additional sections:
How ethics apply to the whole process, not just research with people
How ethics apply to the whole process, not just research with people
With specific categories, for easier navigation, based on exact topic
With specific categories, for easier navigation, based on exact topic
Working with sensitive topics
Working with sensitive topics
Whether when working with other people, or when managing your own emotions
Whether when working with other people, or when managing your own emotions
Research Creation
Research Creation
Here expansions went beyond original context, as we included information on not just the individual process, but also:
Here expansions went beyond original context, as we included information on not just the individual process, but also:
Topics beyond artistic practice
Topics beyond artistic practice
How can research creation apply to academic and scientific fields
How can research creation apply to academic and scientific fields
How to manage collaboration
How to manage collaboration
When working with non-art researchers or defending your intellectual property
When working with non-art researchers or defending your intellectual property
Introductory tools & materials
Introductory tools & materials
For those just getting started with their research work or studies
For those just getting started with their research work or studies
Final Screens
Final Screens
The information and materials gathered through this project have since become a permanent part of the ECU library collection. Based on the recommendations I proposed, the library has created or purchased resources to support the expansion.
Click on any of the images for a closer look into the some of the final screens
The information and materials gathered through this project have since become a permanent part of the ECU library collection. Based on the recommendations I proposed, the library has created or purchased resources to support the expansion.
Click on any of the images for a closer look into the some of the final screens
Guided Introduction to ECU Research Ethics Board
Guided Introduction to ECU Research Ethics Board
Introduction to Research Creation - What and How
Introduction to Research Creation - What and How
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research
Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Research
Ethics in Health Research - Practice Through Process
Ethics in Health Research - Practice Through Process
Summary
Summary
By analyzing the gaps in the existing website content & incorporating feedback of those who rely on these resources directly, I created website guides that:
By analyzing the gaps in the existing website content & incorporating feedback of those who rely on these resources directly, I created website guides that:
Recognize intersecting needs
Resources that would support students, professors and administrative staff
Support learning beyond classroom
For students to independently pursue topics introduced in class
Expand upon existing ideas
Introduce new concepts and highlight different areas of practice
Recognize intersecting needs
Resources that would support students, professors and administrative staff
Support learning beyond classroom
For students to independently pursue topics introduced in class
Expand upon existing ideas
Introduce new concepts and highlight different areas of practice
Mariia Semenova ©2026
Contact:
