Combining Concurrent and Sequential Methods to Examine the Usability and Readability of Websites With Information About Medicines

Research of websites with information about medicines has not previously taken sufficient account of the design aspects that may affect user's interacting with the site. This explanatory study combined four concurrent usability methods (user testing, think aloud protocol, observation, and tracking the participant's online actions), with a sequential interview to examine five websites. Site design and content were found to obstruct participants' attempts to locate specific information on the web pages. Draft evidence-based design recommendations were derived which, if implemented, could improve the usability of the websites and the readability of their content. Combining concurrent and sequential methods is probably a novel approach for mixed methods and provides a good base on which future mixed methods could be based.