Investigating the Structure and Content of Iranian Sports Websites

ABSTARCT: The Internet and computer networks in the modern world are the primary point of contact between users and organizations and services. The present study aimed to investigate the structural and content features of Iranian sports organization websites during the first half year 2011. In this regard, the research took on a descriptive-analytical design. In the first place, official websites of Iranian sports organizations were identified, which included such organizations as Ministry of sports and youth, national Olympics and Paralympics committee, national Olympics academy, provincial organizations for sports and youth, and sports federations (N=77). Second, the websites were assessed in terms of their structure and content using a checklist for the structural and content assessment of websites. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics including one-sample t test. The results showed that, from among the 10 features investigated, the variable ʹupdatesʹ enjoyed the best favorable status (3.43±1.67) while the variable ʹoffering special servicesʹ was in the least favorable status (1.3±0.26). It is notable to say that none of the websites had discussion forums. The results of t test showed that there is significant difference between the variables ʹabout usʹ, ʹcontact usʹ, ʹlinksʹ, ʹspecial servicesʹ, ʹresourcesʹ, ʹupdatesʹ and ʹfactors mean ʹ (P < 0.05). The present findings indicate an average utility index of sports organization websites, which requires more determined efforts to improve the current status.