Examining the Usability of The SIPAD System Using an Exploratory Evaluation Method

Introduction: The SIPAD system is used by a diverse range of users, including students, professors, administrators, and university staff. Therefore, it requires continuous evaluation to prevent possible errors and identify problems in the system, plan for resolving them, and ultimately provide better quality services. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the usability of the SIPAD system, aiming to identify and resolve problems within it. Method: This descriptive cross -sectional study was conducted in 2024 to evaluate the usability of the SIPAD system at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences using an exploratory evaluation method. The evaluators independently examined different parts of the SIPAD system (from the perspective of students, professors, and the education unit) using the Pierotti checklist for compliance with the Nielsen usability principles. For each type under study, evaluators were asked to rate the severity of the problem related to the item from 0 to 4 if they selected the "No" option (including non -compliance with the desired item in the SIPAD system). Results: Sixteen evaluators participated in the study. 56.25 % of the evaluators were master's and Ph.D. students, 37.5 % were faculty members in health information management, medical informatics, and artificial intelligence, and 6.25 % were experts in the education unit. The majority of problems identified were related to the principles of website flexibility and efficiency (1.35), guidance and documentation (1.28), and the fewest problems accounted for aesthetic aspects and simple design (0.08) . The average severity of the identified problems showed that the SIPAD system has minor problems in some Nielsen's usability principles. Conclusion: This study identified shortcomings in user experience design by evaluating the SIPAD system. The findings show that despite proper technical performance, the neglect of user - centered principles has reduced productivity and satisfaction. The main problems include incomprehensible symbols, a lack of return capabilities, and failure to address the real needs of users. The proposed solutions are low -cost, operational, and have the potential to significantly improve the user experience. Continuous improvement through periodic evaluations and attention to user feedback is essential for the system to remain dynamic .