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1 – 10 of over 10000Maria del Carmen Suarez-Torrente, Patricia Conde-Clemente, Ana Belén Martínez and Aquilino A. Juan
The purpose of this paper is to improve and facilitate the work of developers and usability evaluators by providing an adaptable and effective support. A well-defined set of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve and facilitate the work of developers and usability evaluators by providing an adaptable and effective support. A well-defined set of criteria and a range of evaluation values for each criterion as well as a complete websites classification, will guide evaluators. A usability percentage and a list of prioritized criteria, adapted to the type of website by a new usability metric, will help developers to improve the website. This improvement will increase the degree of web user satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
Having established and validated a new usability evaluation framework, several usability tools have been analyzed. None of them totally fulfills the requirements of the evaluation framework. As a result of being unable to customize any of them, a new one has been developed. A study of 42 enterprise websites in an economically depressed region of Europe was performed using the new tool. This study involved 42 evaluators and 118 web users. Users have evaluated the websites before and after the redesign. A end-user computing satisfaction model-based questionary was used to collect data about end-user satisfaction. The results validate the proposal.
Findings
The study confirms that the proposed tool provides valuable information during the process of web development, evaluation and redesign. In adittion, it reveals that improving websites usability by ensuring criteria compliance has a positive effect on web users satisfaction.
Originality/value
Unlike previous purposes, the proposed tool allows to evaluate any type of website with a well-defined set of evaluation criteria and specific criteria values. As outcomes, the tool provides the website usability degree and a list of criteria ordered by priority repair. These results are adapted to the specific type of website. This makes easier and more effective the redesign of the evaluated website.
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Klas Backholm, Joachim Högväg, Jørn Knutsen, Jenny Lindholm and Even Westvang
This chapter describes how researchers and developers may improve the design of technical innovations for crisis communicators by testing how user-friendly the innovation is for…
Abstract
This chapter describes how researchers and developers may improve the design of technical innovations for crisis communicators by testing how user-friendly the innovation is for its intended end users. In the RESCUE project, a tool for social media information gathering was developed. During this process, tool usability was thoroughly tested. Good usability allows the user to complete tasks and achieve goals with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The purpose of the usability testing was to strive for a tool that is easy to use during demanding circumstances and contributes to a high level of situation awareness (SA) among users. SA is about being aware of what is happening around you – during, for example, emergency assignments – and what this means for your on-going work tasks. The main focus of this chapter is to describe how usability testing was applied throughout the tool development process, from the pre-production planning phase to the final phase. As a part of this, the tool features are described.
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David J. Bennett and Paul Stephens
The purpose of this paper is to review the usability of the Autopsy Forensic Browser in order to improve future versions of this, or similar, tools.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the usability of the Autopsy Forensic Browser in order to improve future versions of this, or similar, tools.
Design/methodology/approach
The software Autopsy Forensic Browser was analysed for usability using a cognitive walkthrough approach.
Findings
The results of the evaluation indicate that there are many areas where usability could be improved and these are classified into areas of eight overlapping areas. Examples from each area are presented, with suggestions as to methods to alleviate them.
Research limitations/implications
The review is limited by the use of the “expert evaluator” approach rather than using a user‐based evaluation. This would tend to mean that some of the usability errors would be “false positives”, while some usability issues were not uncovered. A user‐based evaluation could be a future project.
Practical implications
Usability could be improved of the Autopsy Forensic Browser and developers of such systems should engage with the usability and interaction design community to enhance their software. It would be helpful for users, if future versions of the software take account of the findings of the paper.
Originality/value
This is one of the first reviews of the usability of forensic analysis software and the first for the Autopsy Forensic Browser system. The value is the findings suggest practical ways to enhance usability, which will impact on the effectiveness of investigators.
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Vandoir Welchen, Juliana Matte, Cintia Paese Giacomello, Franciele Dalle Molle and Maria Emilia Camargo
The purpose of this paper is to validate and measure the overall evaluation of electronic health record (EHR) and identify the factors that influence the health information…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to validate and measure the overall evaluation of electronic health record (EHR) and identify the factors that influence the health information systems (HIS) assessment in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
From February to May 2020, this study surveyed 262 doctors and nurses who work in hospitals and use the EHR in their workplace. This study validated the National Usability-focused HIS Scale (NuHISS) to measure usability in the Brazilian context.
Findings
The results showed adequate validity and reliability, validating the NuHISS in the Brazilian context. The survey showed that 38.9% of users rated the system as high quality. Technical quality, ease of use and benefits explained 43.5% of the user’s overall system evaluation.
Research limitations/implications
This study validated the items that measure usability of health-care systems and identified that not all usability items impact the overall evaluation of the EHR.
Practical implications
NuHISS can be a valuable tool to measure HIS usability for doctors and nurses and monitor health systems’ long-term usability among health professionals. The results suggest dissatisfaction with the usability of HIS systems, specifically the EHR in hospital units. For this reason, those responsible for health systems must observe usability. This tool enables usability monitoring to highlight information system deficiencies for public managers. Furthermore, the government can create and develop actions to improve the existing tools to support health professionals.
Social implications
From the scale validation, public managers could monitor and develop actions to foster the system’s usability, especially the system’s technical qualities – the factor that impacted the overall system evaluation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to validate the usability scale of EHR systems in Brazil. The results showed dissatisfaction with HIS and identified the factors that most influence the system evaluation.
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Bimal Aklesh Kumar, Sailesh Saras Chand and Munil Shiva Goundar
Mobile learning has seen tremendous growth over the years. Like any other software application, usability is one of the key concerns in its successful implementation. There is a…
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile learning has seen tremendous growth over the years. Like any other software application, usability is one of the key concerns in its successful implementation. There is a lack of study that provides a comprehensive overview of usability testing of mobile learning applications. Motivated by this a mapping study is conducted.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic mapping study was conducted using 51 papers retrieved from the Scopus database published between 2005 and 2022 that reported on usability testing of mobile learning applications.
Findings
The key findings suggest that research is expected to expand in the near future. User-based testing is the commonly used method, while data are collected mainly through questionnaires, observation and interviews. Testing is mainly conducted in a controlled environment.
Originality/value
The study provides (1) an evidence-based discussion on usability testing of mobile learning applications, (2) an up-to-date map on state of the art on usability testing of mobile learning applications and (3) providing direction for further research to scientifically strengthen the field.
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Prokopia Vlachogianni and Nikolaos Tselios
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of personality traits on the perceived usability evaluation of e-learning platforms. In specific, perceived usability levels…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of personality traits on the perceived usability evaluation of e-learning platforms. In specific, perceived usability levels of the educational platforms and tools used in primary and secondary education in Greece are demonstrated. The impact which personality traits and other individual-related factors have on the perceived usability were also examined.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 2,239 Greek primary and secondary education teachers participated in the study through an online survey. The system usability scale (SUS) and Big 5 personality test questionnaires were adopted, as well as a demographics questionnaire and nine platforms were examined: e-me, eclass, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, Edmodo, Padlet, Skype and Zoom.
Findings
Most platforms were rated as satisfactory in terms of perceived usability as measured by SUS. SUS scores were not found to be significantly related with participants’ age, gender, private/public school, working relationship. Furthermore, openness to new experience and extraversion demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with perceived usability evaluation.
Research limitations/implications
The current study used a sample of Greek teachers as participants, so the generalizability of results without considering cultural or organizational issues is of questionable validity. The Big 5 personality test is widely adopted; however, it seems that it does not capture comprehensively all possible dimensions of personality.
Practical implications
Acknowledging the correlations between personality traits and perceived usability for each platform, teachers may now choose the most user-friendly one depending on the personality traits. Designers can adapt their systems to meet users’ needs accordingly. Moreover, the reported results provide a frame of reference for the respective organizations and companies to compare the quality of user experience of their products and services. Thus, development costs of an e-learning platform/tool can be reduced accordingly.
Social implications
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Originality/value
Perceived usability of a technological system affects the way users interact with it and consequently the whole learning experience. Thus, factors which may affect perceived usability and, in turn, the learning outcomes are of paramount importance and should be exhaustively examined. Giving that personality affects or is related to, other parameters related with technology (technology adoption, perceived and actual use, acceptance, interaction, perceived ease of use), this study addresses a significant research gap and sheds light to the before-mentioned issues.
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Miklos A. Vasarhelyi and Silvia Romero
The audit of corporations is now dependent on the examination of corporate computer systems. Although tools and techniques have been available for decades, there are major…
Abstract
Purpose
The audit of corporations is now dependent on the examination of corporate computer systems. Although tools and techniques have been available for decades, there are major limitations on the audits of corporate systems by external auditors. This paper aims to examine external auditor usage of technology benefiting from a unique opportunity of reviewing a large CPA firm's audit work papers and interviewing their audit staff to examine the following questions: are auditors using the available technological tools? What are the difficulties they face in using these tools? Are there mediators to enhance usability? Why and what circumstances surround their absence?
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use a cross-sectional, case-based field study comparing four engagements in a major audit firm.
Findings
This paper concludes that the characteristics of the audit team largely determine the levels of technology utilization. Furthermore, the integration of technology support teams and auditors may improve usability, and, consequently, increase technology adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The paper includes information about four audit engagements. Given that audit firms have different cultures, practices and employee competencies, and hence emphasize the use of technology to varying degrees, it would be desirable to expand this study to reflect these variations.
Practical implications
The paper presents a discussion of the reasons why auditors do not fully use technology and provide tools to increase its usability.
Originality/value
The paper benefits from a unique opportunity of interviewing audit teams of a large firm, as well as through reviewing their work papers.
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Leena Aalto, Sanna Lappalainen, Heidi Salonen and Kari Reijula
As hospital operations are undergoing major changes, comprehensive methods are needed for evaluating the indoor environment quality (IEQ) and usability of workspaces in hospital…
Abstract
Purpose
As hospital operations are undergoing major changes, comprehensive methods are needed for evaluating the indoor environment quality (IEQ) and usability of workspaces in hospital buildings. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework of the characteristics that have an impact on the usability of work environments for hospital renovations, and to use this framework to illustrate the usability evaluation process in the real environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The usability of workspaces in hospital environments was evaluated in two hospitals, as an extension of the IEQ survey. The evaluation method was usability walk-through. The main aim was to determine the usability characteristics of hospital facility workspaces that support health, safety, good indoor air quality, and work flow.
Findings
The facilities and workspaces were evaluated by means of four main themes: orientation, layout solution, working conditions, and spaces for patients. The most significant usability flaws were cramped spaces, noise/acoustic problems, faulty ergonomics, and insufficient ventilation. Due to rooms being cramped, all furnishing directly caused functionality and safety problems in these spaces.
Originality/value
The paper proposes a framework that links different design characteristics to the usability of hospital workspaces that need renovation.
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Audrone Glosiene and Zinaida Manzhukh
The aim of this paper is to define the main directions and emerging challenges in adoption of general usability principles by the memory institutions.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to define the main directions and emerging challenges in adoption of general usability principles by the memory institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
Theoretical analysis of usability concepts, usability management processes, methods and evaluation criteria found in the Human‐Computer Interaction professional literature and ISO standards is performed.
Findings
Usability should become a part of quality management activities in memory institutions and will change and expand traditional practices in this sphere. ISO standards and theoretical models may be applied to create a framework for usability management in memory institutions both on strategic and operational levels. However, further research in the scope of joint cultural heritage services, audiences, contexts of use and applied technology in the sector of memory institutions should be performed. The main challenges on the way towards the usability framework are cultivation of partnership culture and multidisciplinary teamwork in development and provision of ICT‐based services and application of complex and overlapping recommendations provided by volumnious ISO standards.
Originality/value
The main value of the paper is the comprehensive analysis of state‐of‐the‐art in usability and provision of the main directions and challenges of usability adoption in memory institutions. This analysis maps the future research and practical activities necessary for successful adoption of usability management in libraries, museums and archives.
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The paper aims to evaluate the usability of the website of Central Science Library (CSL), University of Delhi. Multi-method approach of evaluation is used with the use of standard…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to evaluate the usability of the website of Central Science Library (CSL), University of Delhi. Multi-method approach of evaluation is used with the use of standard checklist and questionnaire survey of representative users. Besides, the information architecture of the website under study is analysed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature review and the author’s experience, a usability assessment tool for library websites was developed by Pant (2013). It comprises standard checklist and questionnaire for users’ survey. In the present study, this framework was used to assess the usability of CSL website. The questionnaire survey of 35 representative users was conducted through random sampling. The results of both methods (standard checklist and questionnaire survey) were analysed for evaluating the website usability.
Findings
Need for improvement of the website was realised in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and learnability for better usability. Notice board, site search facility, list of services, FAQs and user guides were the most sought after features among others as per the analysis of the questionnaire survey. Besides, the need to enhance the visual appeal of the website was felt. However, information resources provided through the CSL website were found useful for users.
Originality/value
The paper presents an innovative multi-method approach of website usability assessment while considering six usability attributes: Usefulness, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Learnability, Satisfaction and Accessibility. The approach adopted in this paper is cost effective in comparison to formal usability tests and heuristic evaluation. Therefore, this framework is suitable for libraries having limited budget to ensure the user-centred library website with maximum usability. This paper encourages other libraries to conduct similar website usability evaluation to identify the usability problem areas and users’ perception for their respective website.
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