Knowledge sharing platforms in ICT4D: towards best practices for evaluation

Abstract

Open knowledge repositories (OKR’s) provide an open platform where collaboration can be supported by sharing ideas, resources and opportunities within a community. The usefulness and actual use depends on the usability as well as the relevance of the content for the target community. There are guidelines for Information and Communication for Development (ICT4D) knowledge repositories but theorization on the evaluation of OKR’s are lacking. In this study we report on the content evaluation of an OKR developed for South African ICT4D researchers. The aim is to investigate what the user’s content requirements are when using an ICT4D OKR. We used a mixedmethods approach, whereby we conducted pre-test interviews on users’ expectation. We then presented them with an OKR which was developed according to user requirements from literature. Usability testing with eye tracking was used to evaluate the OKR, the evaluation also included a post-test questionnaire and interviews. The approach allows triangulation between the data from the interviews and the usability testing. The contribution lies in the updated content requirements and the use of a mixed methods approach in validating OKR requirements.