Archives: JUS
A Modified Delphi Approach to a New Card Sorting Methodology
Abstract Open card sorting is used by information architects to gather insights from users to incorporate feedback into an information architecture. In theory, it is one of the more inexpensive, user-centered design methods available to practitioners, but hidden costs make it less likely to be conducted properly and affect the quality of results produced. The following proposes a new card sorting method called the Modified-Delphi card sort to replace the Open card sort. The Modified-Delphi card sort is based on a well-known forecasting technique called the Delphi method. Instead of producing individual models that are then analyzed as a whole, participants work with a single model that is proposed and modified throughout the study. The Modified-Delphi card sorting method produces …
Usability of Electronic Medical Records
Abstract Health care costs represent a significant percentage of a country’s GDP. Implementing electronic medical records (EMR) systems are a popular solution to reducing costs, with the side benefit of providing better care. Unfortunately, 30% of EMR system implementations fail, often because physicians cannot use the EMRs efficiently. User experience problems, based on our experience at several clinics, are wide-spread among EMRs. These include loss of productivity and steep learning curves. To help usability professionals contribute to the creation of more usable EMRs, we share our insights and experiences. Essential to understanding EMRs is the physician’s task flow, which we explain in detail. It is also helpful to understand the different work styles of physicians, variations in the pace of …
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Usability People
What Makes a Great Usability Person? A few years ago, I needed to integrate a batch of new hires into our existing usability group. I wanted to start these new employees off successfully and make our now larger group work most effectively. With apologies to Stephen Covey, I drafted my advice to those new hires as a riff on his “Seven Habits” concept. Based on my years in the industry, and what I’d learned from many skilled colleagues, these were the skills that I’d seen serve usability professionals well in a variety of situations. The Seven Habits: Know your customers. Know your group’s mission. Always start with tasks. Know core usability methods. Work collaboratively. Don’t slow down development. Reduce organizational …
Discourse Variations Between Usability Tests and Usability Reports
Abstract While usability evaluation and usability testing has become an important tool in artifact assessment, little is known about what happens to usability data as it moves from usability session to usability report. In this ethnographic case study, I investigate the variations in the language used by usability participants in user-based usability testing sessions as compared to the language used by novice usability testers in their oral reports of that usability testing session. In these comparative discourse analyses, I assess the consistency and continuity of the usability testing data within the purview of the individual testers conducting “do-it-yourself” usability testing. This case study of a limited population suggests that findings in oral usability reports may or may not be substantiated …
A Usability Evaluation of Workplace-Related Tasks on a Multi-Touch Tablet Computer by Adults with Down Syndrome
Abstract This research study focuses on evaluating the usability of multi-touch tablet devices by adults with Down syndrome for workplace-related tasks. The usability evaluation involved 10 adults with Down syndrome, and the results of the study illustrate that (a) adults with Down syndrome are able to use multi-touch devices effectively for workplace-related tasks, (b) formal computer training seems to impact participant performance, and (c) password usability continues to be a challenge for individuals with Down syndrome. Implications for designers, for policymakers, for researchers, and for users are discussed, along with suggestions for effective implementation of usability testing when involving adults with Down syndrome. Information technology can be a potential workplace skill for adults with Down syndrome, and more of the …