An Investigation of How to Retrieve Web-Based Information for Illiterate Users in Iran

Illiteracy can be a significant obstacle to any given country's economic and social development. Hence, exploiting the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can help solve this problem by creating proper solutions for the illiterate and low-literate population. This study provides search and retrieval strategies for Iran's illiterate or low-literate population by designing an appropriate website. The research method in this study is mixed. A total of 65 individuals were selected using the snowball sampling method. First, by designing qualitative research of ethnographic type, we examined the critical information needs of the research sample. After equalizing the process and information needs, a website was created for the research sample and was provided to them. The designed website does not require human assistance to search for information. In addition, the website uses graphic and audio content related to local culture and language. ISO-9241-11 standard was used to evaluate the performance of the website designed in the research. Furthermore, it examines the characteristics of participants, i.e., gender, and previous experience of using computers and mobile phones on the website's usability. Since the present study population was low-illiterate and illiterate, the research time to prepare them to answer the questions was very long. The results revealed considerable effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with the website among the participants. Moreover, the gender variable did not affect how they use the website and their inclination in this respect. Providing the services required by this group of users in any way, including appropriate cyberspace, increasing literacy rates and meeting the information needs of this group at a far lower cost than traditional education, can be taken into account as one of the requirements of governments. The current study is the first experimental research to measure the needs and create suitable tools for using the virtual world on the part of low-literate and illiterate people in Iran.