Project 4 White Paper

Usability Test of State Parks and Recrea on Websites:
Idaho and Washington
Miles Butler
Project 4 White Paper: ENGL317
ENGL 317 Project 4 2
Table of Contents
Introduc on…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………(3)
Methodology…………….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………(3)
Environment…………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………(3)
Task List…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(3)
Metrics………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….(4)
Results………….……….………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(5)
Conclusion……….………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………(14)
Bibliography………….………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………(15)
Appendix……………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………...(16)
Introduc on
Parks and Recrea on websites offer users the ability to learn about various outdoor recrea on
opportuni es in their states. The websites are generally tailored to users who know what they
are looking for, but these websites also are intui ve and easy to learn so that new users can also
find the specific informa on that they are looking for.
The purpose of this usability comparison is to compare two state Parks and Recrea on websites,
Idaho’s and Washington’s, through the comple on of 10 tasks rated on a Likert scale. The
assump on is that the general audience of these websites has some familiarity with naviga ng
websites and is familiar with outdoor recrea on.
Methodology
Environment
The tasks were conducted on a Lenovo Yoga 7i with Windows 11 so ware. Both sites were
accessed through Google on the University of Idaho’s AirVandalHome network.
Task List
Task 1: Filter parks based on ADA accommoda ons.
Task 2: Find an ac vity in each park.
Task 3: Use search bar to find a specific park.
Task 4: Register for a park event.
Task 5: Reserve a camping spot.
Task 6: Sign up to volunteer at the park.
Task 7: Contact the park by email.
Task 8: View a map of a specific park.
Task 9: Change the font size of the park website.
Task 10: Purchase a park pass.
Metrics
For each task, I used a five-point Likert scale to rate the sites’ usability from “strongly disagree”
(one) to “strongly agree” (five).
The metrics which correspond with the Likert scale are as follows:
Effec ve: The task was completed successfully.
Efficient: Comple ng the task took as few steps as necessary.
Engaging: The user-interface is appealing and enhances the comple on of the task.
Error Tolerant: Errors in the task were easy to correct.
Easy to Learn: The features on the website were intui ve and easy to learn; the steps were
not complicated.
Results
Task 1: Filter parks based on ADA accommoda ons.
Idaho Parks and Recrea on allows users to filter out parks based on specific ADA
accommoda ons. However, users have to individually select the ADA accommoda ons they are
looking for, so it takes several more steps to fully filter parks based on these accommoda ons.
Likert Score: 24.
Figure 1: Idaho Parks ADA Accommoda ons

Washington Parks and Recrea on only has one box to check to search for ADA
accommoda ons. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 2: Washington Parks ADA Accommoda ons
Task 2: Find an ac vity in each park.

The Idaho website has the ac vi es listed on the homepage with a slider to navigate through
them all, which is very intui ve and engaging. There is also the op on to select an ac vity from
a drop-down menu on the home page. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 3: Idaho Park Ac vi es
The Washington website lists out all the ac vi es on one page, which is nice to be able to scroll
through the various ac vi es. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 4: Washington Park Ac vi es
Task 3: Use search bar to find a specific park.

The search bar for the Idaho website recognizes text and suggests what you are searching for.
Typos were corrected upon search. I used Farragut State Park as an example, and to check for
errors, I typed Faragut State Park. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 5: Idaho Parks Search Func on
The Washington website did not recognize what I was searching for, and if I typed in something
incorrectly, it did not catch the error and did not suggest what I was searching for. I used
Anderson Lake State Park as an example, and to check for errors, I typed Andeson Lake State
Park. Likert Score: 23.
Figure 6: Washington Parks Search Func on
Task 4: Change the font size of the park website.

The Idaho website has the op on at the top le corner of the home page to decrease or
increase the font size. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 7: Idaho Parks Font Size Func on
The Washington website does not have the op on to change the font size. Likert Score: 1.
Task 5: Reserve a camping spot.

The Idaho website involved going through each campsite to check its availability for a given day.
It was not very intui ve. Likert Score: 20.
Figure 8: Idaho Parks Campsite Reserva on
The Washington site was very clear and showed all available campsites on a given day
throughout the en re state. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 9: Washington Parks Campsite Reserva on

Task 6: Sign up to volunteer at the park.

The process to sign up on the Idaho website was to fill out two forms with your informa on and
background. Likert Score: 24.
Figure 10: Idaho Parks Volunteer Opportuni es
The process to sign up on the Washington website was to find a specific event and check to see
if there was a need for volunteers. The Washington site was more user-friendly, and it also
provided op ons for poten al volunteers. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 11: Washington Parks Volunteer Opportuni es

Task 7: Contact the state park agency by email.

The Idaho website had the contact informa on for the park agency at the bo om of the
homepage, and when I clicked the link, it clearly displayed the inquiry email. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 12: Idaho Parks Email Address
The Washington website did not clearly list the email, but I eventually found it through looking
through all of the op ons on the contact us page. Likert Score: 24.
Figure 13: Washington Parks Email Address

Task 8: View a map of the park.

The Idaho website was intui ve, and it showed several different op ons for maps when I found
the specific park. I used Farragut State Park as an example. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 14: Idaho Park Map
The Washington website was intui ve, and it showed several different op ons for park maps
when I found the specific park. I used Anderson Lake State Park as an example. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 15: Washington Park Map

Task 9: Register for a park event.

The Idaho website showed upcoming events on the homepage, and it was simple to add
upcoming events to my Google Calendar. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 16: Idaho Parks Event Calendar
The Washington website showed upcoming events on the homepage, and I did not run into any
difficulty signing up for events. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 17: Washington Parks Event Calendar

Task 10: Purchase a park pass through the website.

The Idaho website does not provide the ability to purchase a recrea on pass on the website.
Instead, it redirects users to the Idaho Department of Motor Vehicles website and users have to
purchase a pass on that website when they renew their vehicle’s registra on. Likert Score: 1.
Figure 18: Idaho Parks Pass
The Washington website has the op on to purchase their Discover Pass directly through the
website. Likert Score: 25.
Figure 19: Washington Parks Pass

Conclusion and Recommenda ons

Both state Parks and Recrea on sites were very user-friendly. Other than a few small difficul es
comple ng tasks or the tasks not being able to be completed directly through the website, the
experience comple ng the tests was not frustra ng or challenging. Features on both the sites
were intui ve, and items that I was looking for were clearly labeled. The major tasks that stood
out and that varied between the two websites were changing the font size and purchasing a
parks and recrea on pass. For those who are interested in outdoor recrea on within
Washington and Idaho, I would recommend looking into the Washington Parks and Recrea on
site first. Not only did the Washington website score slightly be er in terms of its usability
compared to the Idaho site, but it also allows for users to purchase a parks pass directly through
the website instead of having to wait un l registering their vehicle at an Idaho Department of
Motor Vehicles office.
Figure 20: Likert Scores of Each Task by Website

Bibliography
Idaho State Parks and Recrea on. h ps://parksandrecrea on.idaho.gov/
Washington State Parks and Recrea on. h ps://parks.wa.gov/

Appendix
Product Idaho Parks and Recrea on Website Washington Parks and Recrea on Website
Task 1 Filter parks with ADA accommoda ons. Filter Parks with ADA accommoda ons.
Effec ve I was able to successfully complete this task. I was able to successfully complete this task.
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Disagree Disagree Agree Agree Disagree Disagree Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Efficient Comple ng the task took as few steps as necessary. Comple ng the task took as few steps as necessary.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engaging The user-interface is appealing and enhances the The user-interface is appealing and enhances the
comple on of the task. comple on of the task.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error Errors or wrong steps were easy to correct. Errors or wrong steps were easy to correct.
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to The features on the website were intui ve and easy The features on the website were intui ve and easy
Learn to learn; the steps were not complicated. to learn; the steps were not complicated.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My I had to select each ADA accommoda on Received highest marks in all categories.
Notes individually. The experience was fine but there was
no easy way to group all ADA accommoda ons
together.
Task 2 Find a specific ac vity on the website. Find a specific ac vity on the website.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Received highest marks in all categories. Received highest marks in all categories.
Notes
Task 3 Use the search bar to find a specific park. Use the search bar to find a specific park.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Received highest marks in all categories. Making a slight error in the search redirected me to
Notes informa on that I was not looking for. There was no
autocorrect feature or text recogni on.
Task 4 Change the font size of the website. Change the font size of the website.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Received highest marks in all categories. I could not complete this task through the website.
Notes
Task 5 Reserve a campsite. Reserve a campsite.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Reserving a campsite took me through several Received highest marks in all categories.
Notes different websites and it was not a clear process.
Task 6 Sign up to volunteer on the website. Sign up to volunteer on the website.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Signing up to volunteer required filling out two Received highest marks in all categories.
Notes forms and sending those forms to a specific email
address for someone to contact you within several
business days.
Task 7 Contact the state park agency by email. Contact the state park agency by email.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Received highest marks in all categories. The email address was not clearly listed, and I had
Notes to go through several different links un l I found it.
Task 8 View a map of a specific park. View a map of a specific park.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Notes
Task 9 Register for a park event. Register for a park event.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Notes
Task 10 Purchase a park pass through the website. Purchase a park pass through the website.
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Tolerant
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
My Idaho State Parks Passes can only be purchased Received highest marks in all categories.
Notes through the DMV.
1. Line-Spacing. Is the spacing set to single-spaced (1.0) text or to the Word default
(1.15)?
2. Text Justification. Is text left-justified?
3. Heading Levels. Has the writer used heading levels to help you navigate through the
content and revisit information easily?
4. Chunking Microcontent. Is the content written in chunks of microcontent?
5. Visual Hierarchy. Has the writer used the CRAP principles of contrast, repetition,
alignment to create visual hierarchy?
6. Page Numbers/Secondary Page Heading. Has the writer provided page numbers and a
smaller heading for all pages after the first?
7. Title Page. Is the title page using design elements to create visual appeal?
8. Table of Contents. Is the Table of Contents well-balanced on the page and using dot
leaders?
Content
1. Results. Do the results describe what happened as the writer did each task?
2. Screenshots.
Has the writer included screenshots to support descriptions?
Are the screenshots appropriately sized, labeled, captioned, and referred to by label in the
descriptions?
3. Scoring. Has the writer included the scores earned for each task (or graphically
represented these) after each description?
4. Total Scores. Has the writer graphically represented a comparison of the overall scoring
at the end of the results or in the recommendations?
5. Recommendations. Has the writer made recommendations to potential users of the
product or website?
6. Bibliography. Has the writer composed a bibliography citation for what was tested using
a standard documentation style?
7. Appendix.
Has the writer included an Appendix with the raw data in a collection form or
spreadsheet?
Does the raw data collection form or spreadsheet include analysis notes in addition to the
scoring?

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Usability Test of State Parks and Recrea on Websites:

Idaho and Washington

Figure 1: Idaho Parks ADA Accommoda ons

Figure 2: Washington Parks ADA Accommoda ons

Task 2: Find an ac vity in each park.

Figure 3: Idaho Park Ac vi es

Figure 4: Washington Park Ac vi es

Task 3: Use search bar to ﬁnd a speciﬁc park.

Figure 5: Idaho Parks Search Func on

Figure 6: Washington Parks Search Func on

Task 4: Change the font size of the park website.

Figure 7: Idaho Parks Font Size Func on

Task 5: Reserve a camping spot.

Figure 8: Idaho Parks Campsite Reserva on

Figure 9: Washington Parks Campsite Reserva on

Task 6: Sign up to volunteer at the park.

Figure 10: Idaho Parks Volunteer Opportuni es

Figure 11: Washington Parks Volunteer Opportuni es

Task 7: Contact the state park agency by email.

Figure 12: Idaho Parks Email Address

Figure 13: Washington Parks Email Address

Task 8: View a map of the park.

Figure 14: Idaho Park Map

Figure 15: Washington Park Map

Task 9: Register for a park event.

Figure 16: Idaho Parks Event Calendar

Figure 17: Washington Parks Event Calendar

Task 10: Purchase a park pass through the website.

Figure 18: Idaho Parks Pass

Figure 19: Washington Parks Pass

Conclusion and Recommenda ons

Figure 20: Likert Scores of Each Task by Website

Washington State Parks and Recrea on. h ps://parks.wa.gov/

Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly

Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly

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