Page 306 - Emerging Trends and Innovations in Web-Based Applications and Technologies

International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470

3.3. Data Collection Methods:
The following data collection methods will be used:

3.3.1. Website Accessibility Analysis (Quantitative):
Ø Selection of News Platforms: A diverse sample of prominent international, national, and local news websites will be
selected for analysis. This sample will include websites of varying sizes, target audiences, and content formats.

Ø Automated Accessibility Testing: Automated accessibility testing tools (e.g., WAVE, Axe, Lighthouse) will be used to
identify common accessibility errors based on WCAG guidelines. These tools will provide quantitative data on the number
and types of accessibility issues present on each website.
Ø Manual Accessibility Evaluation: Manual evaluation by trained researchers will be conducted to assess aspects of
accessibility that cannot be fully evaluated by automated tools, such as keyboard navigation, colour contrast, and the
usability of interactive elements. This will involve following specific WCAG success criteria and documenting any
violations.
3.3.2. User Surveys (Quantitative and Qualitative):
Ø Target Population: The target population for the surveys will include individuals with a range of disabilities (visual,
auditory, cognitive, motor), non-native speakers of the dominant language(s) of the selected news platforms, and
individuals with varying levels of digital literacy.
Ø Survey Instrument: A structured online survey will be developed, incorporating both closed-ended (e.g., multiple-choice,
Likert scale) and open-ended questions. The survey will gather data on users' experiences accessing news websites, their
use of assistive technologies, their comprehension of news content, and their satisfaction with existing accessibility
features.

Ø Recruitment: Participants will be recruited through online channels, social media, disability advocacy organizations, and
community groups.
3.3.3. Expert Interviews (Qualitative):
Ø Selection of Experts: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with accessibility specialists, web developers
specializing in accessibility, news professionals, representatives from disability advocacy organizations, and experts in
multilingual communication.
Ø Interview Protocol: An interview protocol will be developed to guide the interviews, ensuring that key topics related to
accessibility, inclusivity, and best practices are covered.

Ø Data Analysis: The interviews will be transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and
patterns related to accessibility challenges, solutions, and recommendations.
3.4. Data Analysis:
Ø Website Analysis Data: The data from the automated and manual website evaluations will be compiled and analysed to
identify common accessibility errors and trends across the selected news platforms. Descriptive statistics will be used to
quantify the prevalence of different types of accessibility issues.
Ø Survey Data: Quantitative data from the surveys will be analysed using descriptive statistics and statistical tests to identify
relationships between user characteristics (e.g., disability type, language proficiency, digital literacy) and their experiences
accessing news. Qualitative data from open-ended survey questions will be analysed using thematic analysis.
Ø Interview Data: Thematic analysis will be used to analyse the interview transcripts, identifying key themes and patterns
related to accessibility challenges, best practices, and recommendations.

IJTSRD | Special Issue on Emerging Trends and Innovations in Web-Based Applications and Technologies Page 296