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Evaluation of usability utilizing Markov models

Janaina Rodrigues Penedo (Depto Informática Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Morganna Diniz (Depto Informática Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Simone Bacellar Leal Ferreira (Depto Informática Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Denis S. Silveira (Depto Informática, Universidade Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Pernambuco, Brazil)
Eliane Capra (Depto Informática Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

Interactive Technology and Smart Education

ISSN: 1741-5659

Article publication date: 8 June 2012

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the usability of a remote learning system in its initial development phase, using a quantitative usability evaluation method through Markov models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for an exploratory study. The data of interest of the research correspond to the possible accesses of users in a learning system's pre‐project. The present research is intended to answer questions of the type “how”, evaluating the usability through Markov models and the interaction of the learning system's users.

Findings

The paper provides a study which allowed the generation of a probability matrix among states and actions, which was utilized in the evaluation of usability based on Markov models, where the usability criteria specified were analyzed. Markov models allow a series of measures of interest to be calculated and they have been successfully utilized in the evaluation of computing and communication systems.

Originality/value

This research aimed to investigate the utilization of Markov models in the evaluation of usability in a remote learning system in its pre‐project phase and to help in proposing improvement suggestions.

Keywords

Citation

Rodrigues Penedo, J., Diniz, M., Bacellar Leal Ferreira, S., Silveira, D.S. and Capra, E. (2012), "Evaluation of usability utilizing Markov models", Interactive Technology and Smart Education, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 100-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/17415651211242242

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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