THE IMPACT OF WEBSITE INFORMATION LABELLING ON INFORMATION QUALITY ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Purpose: Identification of the potential impact of informational labels used on websites on information quality, with particular emphasis on their semantic and syntactic characteristics. Methodology: The study was conducted based on a comparative analysis of informational labels (contextual links, headings, navigation system elements, index terms) on websites from three sectors: public services (gov.pl), e-commerce (allegro.pl), and education (uni.opole.pl). For each type of label, semantic and syntactic features were determined, as well as their influence on selected information quality criteria. Findings: Key semantic characteristics (unambiguity, relevance, contextuality) and syntactic characteristics (hierarchy, formatting, stylistic consistency) of informational labels were identified. Their impact on such information quality characteristics as accessibility, consistency, timeliness, relevance, completeness, and usability was demonstrated. The highest level of information quality is achieved through the synergistic combination of precise semantics with an appropriate presentation structure. The identified information quality characteristics on websites are consistent with universal models, which confirms their validity in design practice. Research limitations: Limiting the analysis to three sectors (public services, e-commerce, education) narrows the possibility of fully generalizing the results. Further research requires an in-depth analysis of the impact of labels on user experience in different cultural and linguistic contexts. Practical implications: The study indicates the necessity of systematic auditing and optimization of labelling systems as part of a comprehensive information quality management strategy for websites. It is important to maintain semantic and syntactic consistency of labels throughout the system and to adapt them to the needs of users. Originality/value: This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of informational labels on information quality on websites, combining the perspective of information architecture with quality management. The work is addressed to both practitioners designing websites and theorists dealing with information quality in the digital environment.