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Experimenting with an Emotions Measurement Instrument in Usability Testing John D. Fernandez, Ph.D., Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi Mary Alice Fernandez, LPC, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi H. Richard Priesmeyer, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University - San Antonio

Introduction

Human computer interaction (HCI) is a discipline concerned with the design, evaluation, and implementation of interactive computing systems for human use and with the study of related major phenomena5. The preponderance of research in HCI has been focused on the components of design and implementation of interactive computing systems. Somewhat less attention has been given to the evaluation of such systems. This paper addresses methods for teaching and conducting usability evaluations, including the use of an emotions measurement instrument.

The main goal of HCI is to build interactive systems that are easy to learn, effective to use, and enjoyable from the user’s perspective5. These characteristics are summed up in one word – usability. Usability can only be understood from the user’s mind-set. Glass (as cited in Pressman7) contends that even the quality of a system is not as important as the user being satisfied, because if the user isn’t satisfied, nothing else really matters. Therefore, usability is of utmost importance in measuring a software product’s positive impact on the user.

Since the focus is on satisfying the needs and desires of the user, the development of interactive systems should follow a user-centered approach that is sensitive and responsive to those needs. This foundational principle becomes a challenge for the typical software developer because it calls for skills and abilities that are not normally part of the software engineer’s portfolio1. HCI is an interdisciplinary methodology that involves skills from disciplines such as psychology/cognitive science, engineering, informatics, computer science/software engineering, ergonomics, human factors, and social sciences6. Therefore, HCI is closely aligned with user-centered development. Web-based systems are good examples of HCI-type systems because of the availability of the medium upon which they operate.

HCI and Usability Education

One of the authors, J. Fernandez, teaches two community-based HCI courses at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi2. The types of projects that seem to fit best for the HCI courses are Web-based systems with interactive components. Before initiating these courses, contacts are made with city, school, and university organizations in order to find HCI-type requirements that can provide the basis for student projects. Once client organizations are identified, the principals in each are informed of the process that students will use to develop and complete the projects.

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Priesmeyer, R., & Fernandez, M., & Fernandez, J. (2005, June), Experimenting With An Emotions Measurement Instrument In Usability Testing Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15525