The fidelity of prototype and testing environment in usability tests

This doctoral thesis investigated what setup of a usability test can best support valid test outcomes. Several aspects of contextual fidelity were manipulated in experimental usability studies, to examine their impact on test results. The first study demonstrated that the medium of prototype presentation has effects on test outcomes, which have not been found in previous research. Using a more hypothesis-driven approach, it was shown that participants exhibited more reading activity when using a paper-based as compared to a computer prototype presented on screen. This resulted in better performance, if task success required reading a short paragraph of text. Consequently, the medium of prototype presentation needs to be considered to avoid that respective usability problems go undetected. A second study demonstrated that additional observers may cause stress for test participants, which can be measured at the physiological level. Some performance indicators were affected, but only in interaction with perceived developmental stage of the test system. A third study investigated the effects of a work or leisure context on the outcome of a usability test. No effects were found for the type of usage context, but even short response time delays proved to be relevant for performance and emotions. Relevant factors for the validity of usability test outcomes were identified and theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Keywords: Usability test; paper prototype; fidelity; observer presence; work and leisure domain; system response time; heart rate variability; validity

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Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão de Sistemas de InformaçãoAtualmente é cada vez mais visível a presença dos Sistemas de Informação (SI) em todos os sectores que compõem as sociedades contemporâneas, contribuindo para a sua evolução e melhor funcionamento. As Tecnologias de Informação (TI), em conjunto com os SI têm cada vez maior impacto, e este é também cada vez mais direto, neste caso em concreto, tem um papel preponderante na evolução do sector da saúde, contribuindo para mudança na forma como se prestam serviços de saúde e consequentemente, estes têm vindo a sofrer alterações profundas no modelo de prestação de serviços. A evolução é visível e cada vez mais os serviços de saúde são mais eficazes e capazes de satisfazer as necessidades do sector. Esta investigação pretende abordar temáticas associadas à telemedicina, aos SI na saúde e à introdução do conceito de Ambient Assisted Living e também temas relacionados com a adoção de tecnologias. Apresentam-se alguns projetos que se inserem nestas temáticas e fala-se ainda das áreas envolventes onde este projeto se insere de forma a enquadrar e contextualizar as temáticas que se seguem na literatura. Como resultado espera-se um modelo de deployment que se baseia em modelos teóricos já existentes que, à luz desta investigação, são importantes, não só pela similaridade de características como também pela sua aplicabilidade. Tendo por referências estas primeiras linhas descritivas, esta investigação englobou várias etapas que incluem o conhecimento do projeto e dos seus intervenientes, compreensão de objetivos e metas, interação com o VitalCare e obtenção de informação sobre o mesmo. O caminho percorrido levou a que os resultados fossem baseados em simulações e hipóteses que compõem o modelo de deployment criado, sempre com a preocupação de ir de encontro à motivação da criação deste projeto.Today's becoming more visible the presence of the Information Systems in all sectors that comprises contemporary societies, contributing to its development and better functioning. Information Technology, together with Information Systems is having an increasing impact and this is also becoming more direct, in this specific case, in the evolution of the health sector. They both came to change the way we provide health care and therefore, they have been on profound changes in the model of service delivery. The trend is visible and increasingly health services are more effective and able to meet the needs of the sector. This research aims to address issues related to telemedicine, the Information Systems in health and the introduction of the concept of Assisted Living, and also issues related to technology adoption as this project, being innovative and targeted at older people, will have implications and difficulties about the technology adoption. Some projects are presented related with these themes, with which they can compare with VitalCare to better identify the components and functionalities, and still relate with the surrounding areas where this project is inserted in order to regulate and contextualize VitalCare in the literature. The deployment model is based on existing theoretical models that, in the light of this research are important, not only by similarity of features as well as its applicability. Following reference to these descriptive first lines, this research comprised several steps that include knowledge of the project and its stakeholders, understanding objectives and goals, interaction with VitalCare and achieving information about it. The path that led to results were based on simulations and assumptions that make up the deployment model created, always with the intent of meeting the motivation on the establishment of this project