516 research outputs found

    Measuring Learnability in Human-Computer Interaction

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    It is well accepted that learnability is a crucial attribute of usability that should be considered in almost every software system. A good learnability leads within a short time and with minimal effort to a high level of proficiency of the user. Therefore, expensive training time of complex systems is reduced. However, there is only few consensus on how to define and evaluate learnability. In addition, gathering detailed information on learnability is quite difficult. In todays books on usability evaluation, learnability gets only few attention, research publications are spread to several other fields and the term learnability is also used in other context. The objective of this thesis is to give an structured overview of learnability and methods for evaluation and additionally assist in the evaluator’s individual choice of an appropriate method. First of all, several definitions of learnability are discussed. For a deeper understanding psychological background knowledge is provided. Afterwards, methods to asses learnability are presented. This comprises nine methods that seem particularly appropriate to measure learnability. As this methods are very diverse, a framework based on analytical hierarchy process is provided. This framework aims to classify presented methods with respect to certain criteria and assess practitioners in selecting an appropriate method to measure learnability

    Using open ended, ill formed problems to develop and assess Engineering Mathematics competencies.

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    The purpose of this paper is to report upon how an engineering mathematics class was used to provide a vehicle for students to develop mathematical competencies and hence higher order thinking skills within the broader field of engineering education. Specifically it provided students with the opportunities to think mathematically, reason mathematically, pose and resolve mathematical problems, to use technology to model resolutions, interpret and handle mathematical symbolism and to communicate their resolutions to peers and staff. Using the report produced by the Mathematics Working Group of SEFI (European Society for Engineering Education), which details a framework for mathematics curricula in engineering education (SEFI, 2013), a methodology was identified. This methodology was also based on work previously undertaken by the author (Peters, 2017; Peters, 2015). In section 2.1 (p 13) the report lists and describes a set of eight mathematical competencies: (1) Thinking mathematically, (2) reasoning mathematically, (3) posing and solving mathematical problems, (4) modelling mathematically, (5) representing mathematical entities, (6) handling mathematical symbols and formalism, (7) communicating in, with, and about mathematics and, (8) making use of aids and tools. The report also points out the importance of developing assessment procedures pertinent to competency acquisition (p7). The evidence from this investigation concludes that the majority of students found the experience challenging but worthwhile. They considered they had learnt important skills including the ability to form assumptions, persistence, time management, project management and an enhancement of their mathematical skills in relation to engineering

    Multi-Actor Design And Risk Assessment Of Product-Service System (Pss) In Furniture Industry

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    The competition within furniture industry is getting more intense shown by the high competition and changing trend in the society. In Indonesia, based on the data from the Ministry of Industry, the export of national furniture is rising from the past two years (2016-2017) and expected to increase in the following year. The sales are targeted to hit US $5 billion by 2019. Therefore, a different and innovative strategy should be implemented, so a company can be distinguished in the market with many competitors. One of the strategies is to apply different business models such as Product-Service System (PSS). Through its integration on product and service, PSS can be used to give solution for the company and answer the question about consumer’s need. The proposed business model is use-oriented service which provide furniture renting. However, before adopting this new business model, the company needs to do planning to set the right strategy in developing the furniture business. The needs of manufacturer is obtained from the previous research. While for service providers, there are 10 criterion, which are cost, management, performance, empathy, customization, deliver, company readiness, policy, and company reputation. On the other hand, customer requires 13 criterion which are affordable rental rate, easy to purchase, product information, good service, ease of delivery and return on rented furniture, multifunctional, customization, low maintenance, easy to use, durability, policy, anticipation of unexpected events, and environmentally-friendly. By using Fuzzy-AHP and multi-layer QFD, it is found that providing consultation service, insurance service, and online apps are the most appropriate technical responses to answer the need of all actor. The result is used to create a PSS blueprint. However, new business model can be risky. Therefore, an assessment of risk is done using House of Risk. From HOR1, 8 of 15 risk agents were chosen because of its cumulative of occurrence reach 80%. Then, HOR2 was constructed to determine what preventive actions that can decrease the occurrence of risk agents for all actors

    Uncertain Multi-Criteria Optimization Problems

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    Most real-world search and optimization problems naturally involve multiple criteria as objectives. Generally, symmetry, asymmetry, and anti-symmetry are basic characteristics of binary relationships used when modeling optimization problems. Moreover, the notion of symmetry has appeared in many articles about uncertainty theories that are employed in multi-criteria problems. Different solutions may produce trade-offs (conflicting scenarios) among different objectives. A better solution with respect to one objective may compromise other objectives. There are various factors that need to be considered to address the problems in multidisciplinary research, which is critical for the overall sustainability of human development and activity. In this regard, in recent decades, decision-making theory has been the subject of intense research activities due to its wide applications in different areas. The decision-making theory approach has become an important means to provide real-time solutions to uncertainty problems. Theories such as probability theory, fuzzy set theory, type-2 fuzzy set theory, rough set, and uncertainty theory, available in the existing literature, deal with such uncertainties. Nevertheless, the uncertain multi-criteria characteristics in such problems have not yet been explored in depth, and there is much left to be achieved in this direction. Hence, different mathematical models of real-life multi-criteria optimization problems can be developed in various uncertain frameworks with special emphasis on optimization problems

    Technology standards and performance: the impact of social network service integration and open technology standards

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    For at least hundreds of years, if not longer, industries have been regularly transformed by the adoption of standards. Early examples from the early nineteenth century include the standardization of railroad track gauges and the introduction of interchangeable parts in the production of munitions. With the advent of the modern technology era, the introduction of standards has continued to transform industries that are now information technology driven. However, despite the broad consequences the introduction of standards presents, there remains a limited understanding of them. In this work we begin to build upon our understanding of the impact of standards by conducting a study on each of two distinct industries that have significant implications for society. The first industry considered is online services, focusing on an increasingly dominant subset that contains online communities. This industry is being transformed by the introduction of de facto standards for user profile management through social network service integration. The second industry studied is the defense avionics industry. This industry is positioned to potentially be transformed by the introduction of an open technology standard for software development. In the first study we investigate the impact of an increasingly common but understudied design option available to online communities: whether to integrate with a social network platform such as Facebook or Google+. Social network platform integration may provide several benefits to an online community, including creating more social interaction opportunities for members and helping members share personal information with each other to facilitate the creation of social bonds. Theory suggests that both of these factors (opportunities for interaction and disclosure of personal data) enhance the success of bond-based online communities, i.e., those in which member attachment to the community is driven by social bonds with other members. However, some elements of the theory have not been tested, and the theory does not consider the possibility that interaction opportunities and the disclosure of personal information might harm the online community by creating information privacy concerns among users. To address this gap, we tested the effect of implementing the “Login with Facebook” feature on new member registration and member social bond formation in an online virtual world community. Using a randomized field experiment as well as archival data analysis, we found that Facebook integration led to lower registration and lower social bond formation. I.e., it had a consistently negative effect on the online community. In addition to contributing to theory about the design of online communities, our results are also of practical interest to managers of online communities who have implemented or are planning to implement social network platform integration as well as to social network platforms who would like for their integration services to be more widely adopted. In the second study we examine the impact of introducing an open technology standard to the U.S. Defense Avionics industry. U.S. Defense Avionics is a multi-billion dollar industry featuring a monopoly buyer and pseudo-monopoly sellers, and its interplay of regulation and competition have traditionally favored secrecy and proprietary design as companies vie for huge multi-year contracts in a feast or famine market. Recognizing this, the U.S. government launched an initiative to develop an open technology standard jointly with industry, with the intention of using these standards to leverage the anticipated competition and efficiency benefits. Using a combination of interviews and a Delphi study, we examine the impact of this standard on software project effort across key industry firm archetypes. We find that experts anticipate a significant premium in the short term that transitions to cost reduction in the long term, with these expectations varying by firm type. This work contributes to the literature on open standards and learning by validating and quantifying the effect, and provides unique insights into U.S. Defense Avionics industry. This study also informs both expert and industry expectations as well as provides a best estimate of the actual impacts of adopting the standard.Ph.D

    14th SC@RUG 2017 proceedings 2016-2017

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    14th SC@RUG 2017 proceedings 2016-2017

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    An investigation into destination management systems website evaluation theory and practice

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    The main aim of this thesis is an investigation into Destination Management Systems (DMS) website effectiveness and evaluation in the tourism domain from both academic and industry (destination management) perspectives. This thesis begins with a comprehensive review of the literature about theories, concepts and methods used for DMS website effectiveness evaluation. The future direction of DMS website evaluation in tourism and a conceptual framework that defines the contemporary theory versus practice of the DMS websites evaluation is elaborated. The research employed first three rounds of Delphi study to generate an up-to-date definition and aims of DMS. The Delphi study also generated an up-to-date comprehensive set of dimensions and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of DMS websites. The research then employed structured interviews as well as online survey sent to forty-six official destination websites to review how industry is evaluating their DMS websites. What approaches they use in addition to the criteria and dimensions when evaluating the effectiveness of their DMS websites is explored. This thesis also reviews additional aspects related to the in destination evaluation. The findings of the Delphi study indicated that there is a rising emergence of social media as a new important component related to DMS. The findings also suggested additional aims to previously identified aims of the DMS. The new additional aims of DMS found in this research are: support sustainable destination management; empower and support tourism firms; enable collaboration at the destination; increase consumer satisfaction level and capture consumer data. Further findings also indicated compared with these established by previous researchers there are new additions to the evaluation dimensions of DMS websites proposed which are: sustainability, marketing, collaboration issues, and goals of the website. The findings of this thesis indicated that there is a congruence and consensus between academic experts and industry in terms of the most dimensions that are crucial for DMS websites evaluation. The findings, however, indicated that there is limited parallel between criteria identified with the Delphi study and those found and used by destination management practitioners. This thesis calls for additional research to develop a support system to ensure a focused involvement between academia and industry in the area of DMS website evaluation. This thesis contributes to knowledge by generating an up-to-date and comprehensive set of dimensions and criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of a DMS website. This thesis also contributes to knowledge through the identification of the current dimensions, criteria, and evaluation approaches used by industry practitioners. This research adopted a strategy in presenting the literature review that enhanced the understanding of the DMS websites and their comprehensive evaluation in tourism. This research is one of the first studies in the tourism field that reviews and sheds light on and compares and contracts contemporary thinking on both academia and industry evaluation of DMS websites.sub_behsubmitted2197_ethesessubmitte

    14th SC@RUG 2017 proceedings 2016-2017

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