A preliminary investigation of Islamic websites' design features that influence use: a proposed model
The growing availability of the Internet and advances in the use of technology among Muslims have led to an increase in the number of websites with an Islamic content. Currently, there is an emerging trend in the improvement of the design and quality of Islamic websites. Islamic websites serve as...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
City University of Hong Kong
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/32738/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/32738/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/32738/1/Mansur_Murni_AOMT_EJISDC_2013_58_5_1132-2828-1-PB.pdf |
| Summary: | The growing availability of the Internet and advances in the use of technology among
Muslims have led to an increase in the number of websites with an Islamic content.
Currently, there is an emerging trend in the improvement of the design and quality of Islamic
websites. Islamic websites serve as a medium for Islamic organizations, scholars, and
individuals to contribute and participate in several online activities. This research is drawn
from the deep understanding that website design is a major factor affecting the use of
websites by Muslim users. We therefore investigate the most important design features that
influence Muslims to use websites in learning about Islam, as an alternative to the traditional
face-to-face learning from scholars and books. Website design is measured by functionality,
navigation, interactivity, attractiveness, and organizational features, and website use by the
extent to which frequent use is influenced by the website’s design features. An online survey
was conducted from November to December 2012. 89 usable responses were collected from
faculty members and students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The
participants have experience in using Islamic websites. They were guided to the survey
website via the faculty students’ mailing list and Facebook group page. The findings indicate
that website attractiveness, functionality, navigation, organizational information, and
security/privacy are the most important factors influencing the use of Islamic websites.
Interactivity design features were found to be least significant in influencing Muslim users to
use Islamic websites for religious purposes. The majority of the Muslim users visit Islamic
websites to search for information, seek for scholars’ opinions regarding personal
issues/problems (Q&A), and learn about Quran and Hadith. The results of the study are
valuable indicators for the direction of future research, and also suggest guidelines for the
successful development and adoption of Islamic websites.
Keywords: Islamic website, design features, website use, user perceptions |
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