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Supporting user testing in human-computer interaction design

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New Results and New Trends in Computer Science

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 555))

Abstract

Computer systems with good human-computer interfaces and interaction are generally designed using user centred design techniques in which the design is realised through iterative cycles of ‘design, test with users, redesign’. Until formal methods replace or reduce the need for user testing prototyping and testing tools will play a central part in human-computer interaction (HCI) design. This paper reviews two established paradigms known as ‘usability engineering’ and ‘contextual evaluation’ (also called ‘contextual inquiry’). The advantages and disadvantages of each are highlighted and then criteria for an ‘ideal’ evaluation tool are proposed. The paper ends with a brief discussion of an evaluation tool which fulfils many of these criteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computing Dept., Open University, MK7 6AA, Milton Keynes, UK

    Jenny Preece

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  1. Jenny Preece
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Hermann Maurer

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© 1991 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Preece, J. (1991). Supporting user testing in human-computer interaction design. In: Maurer, H. (eds) New Results and New Trends in Computer Science. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 555. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0038194

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0038194

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-54869-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-46457-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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