Evaluation of Iranian medical universities’ websites based on search engine optimization criteria

Subject Areas : Journal of Knowledge Studies

Khadijeh Shabankareh ¹ , Rahim Tahmasebi ² , Ali Hamidi ³

1 - MSc in Medical Library and Information Sciences, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences,
2 - Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
3 - Department of Library and Information Sciences, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences

Received: 2016-12-05 Accepted : 2017-02-14 Published : 2017-08-23

Keywords: Iranian medical universities’ websites, Off-Site optimization, On-Site optimization, Search engine optimization,

Abstract :

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the situation of Iranian medical universities’ websites based on search engine optimization criteria. Methodology: Present study is a survey with descriptive approach. The study population is 47 medical universities websites affiliated to the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Data were collected using a researcher-made checklist which consisted of search engines optimization criteria (52 criteria) in two parts including On-Site optimization and off-Site optimization. The checklist was validated using experts’ viewpoints and its reliability was approved through kuder-Richardson coefficient alpha (0.74). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS 20. Findings: Isfahan, Tehran, and Tabriz universities of medical sciences have the most accommodation with the research checklist. Jiroft, Hamedan, and Fasa universities of medical sciences have the least accommodation. According to research findings, 63.82 percent of the research community reached more than 50 percent of the criteria related to the search engine optimization in checklist. Conclusion: Evaluation of studied websites indicated that whole websites are far from ideal situation. The designers have paid more attention to the technical characteristics of the design of the website, than the factors affecting on off-Site optimization that are important in attracting link.

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