Towards a Non-Functional Requirements Discovery Approach for Persuasive Systems

[Abstract] A number of software systems that attempt to help people achieve behavior change have been proposed in various domains such as health and wellness. However, sometimes, such systems have failed to provide a satisfactory or sustainable User Experience (UX), as it is observed when users may be reluctant to respond to the activation of the systems' changing demands. Moreover, a negative User Experience (UX) can be exposed by Behavior Change Support Systems (BCSS) if designers do not have clear understanding of the requirements that factually help changing the user behavior that accomplishes a sustainability goal. We first explored the Persuasive System Design (PSD) model that should be considered in UX assessment of BCSSs. Then, we propose a requirements discovery process that can be considered to redesign a software interactive system based on negative UX.This work has received partial support by the projects FEDER-UE CSI ED431G/01, ED43C 2018/29, accreditation 2016-2019 ED431G/08, KUSISQA supported by N° 014-2019-FONDECYT-BM-INC.INV, NOVA LINCS UID/CEC/04516/2019, MICINN IJC2018-037522-I, RTI2018-099646-B-I00Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/01Xunta de Galicia; ED43C 2018/29Xunta de Galicia; ED431G/08Gobierno de Chile; 014-2019-FONDECYTBM-INC.INVRepública Portuguesa. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia; UID/CEC/04516/201

Evaluation of perceived persuasiveness constructs by combining user tests and expert assessments

To develop effective behaviour change support systems, persuasive technology can be used. The persuasive systems design model offers a framework to identify and operationalize such elements. In this pilot study, we evaluate the questionnaire developed to measure perceived persuasiveness of information technology. We analyzed verbatim user-test transcripts, and performed expert-assessments of the Nurse Antibiotic Information App (NAIA). These data were compared to questionnaire results on this app. Expert-assessment identified task support, perceived persuasiveness, unobtrusiveness, credibility, perceived effort and perceived effectiveness (as defined in the Persuasive Systems Design model) as being present within the NAIA. These constructs also scored satisfactory in the questionnaire. User-test transcripts are in line with questionnaire results. Given the consistent results in this pilot study, our approach seems promising for evaluating the questionnaire and will be applied to other settings and websites/application

The Fine Line Between Persuasion and Digital Addiction

Digital addiction is becoming a prevalent societal concern and persuasive design techniques used in digital platforms might be accountable also for the development and maintenance of such problematic behavior. This paper theoretically analyses the relationship between persuasive system design principles and digital addiction in light of theories on behavioral and substance-based addictions. The findings suggest that some of the persuasive design principles, in specific contexts, may trigger and expedite digital addiction. The purpose of this paper is to open a discussion around the potential effects of persuasive technology on digital addiction and cater to this risk in the design processes and the persuasive design itself

The structure of Organizational Virtual Social Networks

Organizational virtual social networks (OVSN) reshape social structures due to their ability to strengthen social ties, to change power relations and to enable new forms of cooperation. Research in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has led to various approaches that analyze the impact of OVSN on organizations in terms of structure and behavior. Our study aims to analyze important features related to the structure of OVSN. It also aims to strengthen a network approach to analyze organizational phenomena such as working groups and connected individuals, as well as the impact of online networks in organizations. This study was based on the lines of approach described by Oinas-Kukkonen et al. (2010) and on the research carried out by Bobsin & Hoppen (2012) to understand the process of structuring OVSN. Our main results are an OVSN structure consisting of actors and roles, interactions, operating elements and articulating goals. We also analyzed some structural elements of networks which may contribute to the development of a network based approach to study organizational phenomena

Actual persuasiveness : Impact of personality, age and gender on message type susceptibility

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank all the volunteers who participated in the experiment and provided helpful comments. The first author is funded by an EPSRC doctoral training grant.Postprin

Effectiveness of Web-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Relation to Mental Health and Well-Being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: The need for effective interventions to improve mental health and emotional well-being at a population level are gaining prominence both in the United Kingdom and globally. Advances in technology and widespread adoption of Internet capable devices have facilitated rapid development of Web-delivered psychological therapies. Interventions designed to manage a range of affective disorders by applying diverse therapeutic approaches are widely available. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence base of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in a Web-based delivery format. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis was conducted. Two electronic databases were searched for Web-delivered interventions utilizing ACT for the management of affective disorders or well-being. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were included. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 59 articles. Of these, 10 articles met the inclusion criteria specified. The range of conditions and outcome measures that were identified limited the ability to draw firm conclusions about the efficacy of Web-delivered ACT-based intervention for anxiety or well-being. CONCLUSIONS: ACT in a Web-based delivery format was found to be effective in the management of depression. Rates of adherence to study protocols and completion were high overall suggesting that this therapeutic approach is highly acceptable for patients and the general public