Clinical and TranslationalScience Institute / CTSIat the University of California, San Francisco

UCSF Cores Search 2.0Design Strategy Overview

Anirvan Chatterjee, Brian Turner

1. Search engines

Problem:

– The UCSF users most in need of the system are the least likely to know that it exists.

Solution:

– We've designed the site to rank high when users search for UCSF resources.

2. Use users’ own language

Problem:

– UCSF researchers and core directors don’t always use the same words when referring to resources.

Solution:

– We make resources available under a wide variety of synonyms, so users can always find what they want.

Core directors say:

“QPCR”

We let users search under:

“QPCR”

“RT-PCR”

“Real-time PCR”

“Quantitative PCR”

“Quantitative real time RT-PCR”

3. Multiple paths to find your resource

Problem:

– There are 200+ types of resources, so it can be hard for users to find the type they need.

Solution:

– Offer two easy ways to get to the right resource:

– Google-style typeahead search

– Alphabetized list, designed for scannability

4. Simplify site to remove roadblocks

Problem:

– Busy pages can confuse new users, hampering or preventing them from completing their task

Solution:

– Once users find the resource they want, they’re immediately directed to the core website/contact

– Every irrelevant detail and roadblock removed

Search for “cell isolation”

Cores Search 1.0

• Users had to wade through 4,191 words in search result

Cores Search 2.0

• Word count cut down to 177 words (a 96% reduction)

5. Make it easy to compare options

Problem:

– There can be many cores offering a specific type of resource

Solution:

– Design a clear search results block

– Use visual rhythm to support scannability

Example: Google search results block

Example: Google search results block

Page name/link

(bold, emphasized)Page URL

Search result description/snippet

(relevant text bolded)

Repeated Google search results:visual rhythm aids scannability

Cores Search search results block

Core name/link

(bold, emphasized)

Relevant resources

Location

(easy to scan)

Core details

(deemphasized)

Cores Search search results block

Repeated Cores Search search results:visual rhythm aids scannability

Cores Search 2.0

http://cores.ucsf.edu/

A collaborative effort of UCSF’sResearch Resource Program and the

Clinical and Translational Science Institute