Assessing Features for Malaysian Universities’ Web Expert Directory from User Perspectives

Abstract

An expert directory is a system that contains information about the expertise of staff members working within an organisation. At Malaysian University, the directory commonly developed as a web application helps users find experts in a particular research area based on their publications, research grants, teaching subjects, and supervision experience. Despite the critical importance of expert directories, the responsibility for developing these resources primarily rests with the universities. Although expert directories are present in other domains, there are currently no published assessment or benchmarking studies focused on creating the most effective expert directories for higher education institutions. This research aims to propose an assessment tool on the expert directory focusing on the experts related to Malaysian University. This research first reviewed existing research on any expert directory, the critical features of the directory, and related characteristics, and identified search tool features and their characteristics. Next, the assessment tool is developed by adopting the related main features and their targeted characteristics. Two Malaysian universities were selected as case studies to showcase how this proposed assessment tool can be utilised. Findings show that the tool helps identify the strengths and weaknesses of the existing expert directory. Based on the findings, there is room for improvement that could be provided to the university management and be a guideline for any expert directory for the academic institution. In conclusion, this assessment tool contributes to developing expert directories in higher education institutions, especially in Malaysia.