Evaluating InterDev: A FAIR Platform for International Development Data

Over the past twenty years, the application of Randomised Controlled Trials in economics and global development has expanded, offering policymakers and researchers fresh perspectives on effective initiatives. InterDev, an online knowledge discovery platform, enables users to find, discover, and reuse data from evaluations structured according to the ERCT ontology. This study is the first of three iterations evaluating the usability of InterDev through a user study where participants completed 10 tasks, recorded their task completion times, interventions needed, and used the think-aloud protocol. They also filled out the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ). Thematic analysis of open-ended responses and recordings, along with quantitative analysis of the PSSUQ, revealed that while users generally find the platform functional, there are significant areas for improvement. Key findings indicate issues with error message clarity and overall user satisfaction, particularly in tasks involving filtering and managing collections. Users highlighted the need for enhanced search capabilities, better guidance and navigation, and more intuitive interface design.