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Encyclopedia of Database Systems pp 1327–1331Cite as

Human-Computer Interaction

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Synonyms

HCI; Computer human interaction (CHI); Human interface; Interaction design; Human centered computing; User-centred design; Human factors; Man-machine interaction (obsolete)

Definition

Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) is the study of the way in which computer technology influences human work and activities. The term “computer technology” now-a-days includes most technology from obvious computers with screens and keyboards to mobile phones, household appliances, in-car navigation systems and even embedded sensors and actuators such as automatic lighting. HCI has an associated design discipline, sometimes called Interaction Design or User-Centered Design, focused on how to design computer technology so that it is as easy and pleasant to use as possible. A key aspect of the design discipline is the notion of “usability,” which is often defined in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. However, equally or more important in systems designed for personal use, such as...

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Recommended Reading

  1. Carroll J. HCI Models, Theories, and Frameworks: Toward a Multidisciplinary Science. Morgan Kaufmann, San Francisco, CA, 2003.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

    Alan Dix

Authors
  1. Alan Dix
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, 266 Ferst Drive, 30332-0765, Atlanta, GA, USA

    LING LIU (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Database Research Group David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    M. TAMER ÖZSU (Professor and Director, University Research Chair) (Professor and Director, University Research Chair)

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© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Dix, A. (2009). Human-Computer Interaction. In: LIU, L., ÖZSU, M.T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Database Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-39940-9_192

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