An investigation into the validation of formalised cognitive dimensions

The cognitive dimensions framework is a conceptual framework aimed at characterising features of interactive systems that are strongly influential upon their effective use. As such the framework facilitates the critical assessment and design of a wide variety of information artifacts. Although the framework has proved to be of considerable interest to researchers and practitioners, there has been little research examining how easily the dimensions used by it can be consistently applied. The work reported in this paper addresses this problem by examining an approach to the systematic application of dimensions and assessing its success empirically. The findings demonstrate a relatively successful approach to validating the systematic application of some concepts found in the cognitive dimensions framework.</p

Alien Registration- Roast, Mary (South Portland, Cumberland County)

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The programming-like-analysis of an innovative media tool

This paper describes a case study in which evaluation techniques have been developed and applied to a novel commercially developed tool for supporting efficiency and effectiveness of a digital film production processes. The tool is based upon a familiar concept in digital publishing that of separating style from content, and as such, it represents a challenge for intended end users since it moves them away from traditional working practices and towards programming-like-activity. Two alternative user interfaces have been developed following a commercial development route. Approaches to analyzing the effectiveness of the tool and its interfaces prior to its widespread adoption are described and the conclusions from this analysis are illustrated and discussed

Constraining and creating solutions - reflections on the analysis of early design

This research explores how an existing analytic framework (the cognitive dimensions framework) for interactive digital design reflects knowledge relevant to exploring the design space. The work examines this idea through the analysis of the transcripts of three digital design collaborative workshops run as part of "Studying Professional Software Design". Expert deliberation within these workshops is assessed and related to the analytic framework. The cognitive dimension framework has not been applied to observational data of this sort before. However, the approach described in this paper appears to provide a viable means of analysis. In conclusion we demonstrate that approaching observational data in this manner is not highly complex but is sufficient to provide useful insights. Reflections from the resulting analysis shed light on the interests and tensions evident in early stages of digital product design

ECOPHYSIOLOGY OF NEOMYSIS INTEGER (MYSIDACEA: PERACARIDA)

Neomysis integer (Leach) (Peracarida: Mysidacea) is a common component of the hyperbenthos of Western European estuaries, and this study focused on the ecophysiology and ecotoxicology of this mysid. Behavioural and physiological responses of N. integer to physical and chemical variables (current velocity, substratum type, temperature and salinity) were measured in the laboratory to gain better understanding of how this mysid maintains position in estuaries. Current velocity was the most important factor controlling position maintenance, and N. integer had a maximum swimming speed of c. 9cm sˉ¹. Position maintenance was facilitated by a muddy substratum and was not affected by salinity. Oxygen consumption and feeding rates of N. integer increased with increasing temperature but, whilst oxygen consumption decreased with increasing salinity, feeding rate increased. Male mysids consumed oxygen at a higher rate than females, however, there was no difference in the feeding rates of males and females. The acute toxicity of two organophosphate pesticides (chlorpyrifos and dimethoate) to N. integer was examined, and 96h LC50 values of 0.13µg chlorpyrifos Lˉ¹ and 0.54mg dimethoate Lˉ¹ were estimated. Sub-lethal exposure to chlorpyrifos led to an increased rate of oxygen consumption and decreased feeding rates compared with control animals. In addition, chlorpyrifos exposure led to disrupted behaviour of N. integer, including hyperactivity and decreased maximum swimming speed. The results are discussed in terms of the behaviour and physiology of N. integer in response to natural and anthropogenic physical and chemical variables in the natural environment. The potential of N. integer as a toxicity testing species, and the sublethal responses used in the study, are critically assessed.Brixham Environmentall Laboratory (ZENECA Limited) and the Plymouth Marine Laborator

Exploring the motivations involved in context aware services

This paper reports on research focused upon understanding the factors influencing the effective use of context aware adaptive systems. Unlike many desktop applications, ubiquitous computing supports users in dynamic situations by utilizing surrounding context to help them manage and utilise technology. It is by its nature highly dynamic since it responds to changes in context of use, and this brings new challenges to interaction design. In particular, there is still little research into human factors relating to the effectiveness and appropriateness of ubiquitous computing concepts. We review theoretical factors regarding human user’s motivation, emotion, perception and preference that are relevant to evaluating ubiquitous computing. Here we then report on empirical research relating these theoretical factors to the use of contextually aware adaptive systems. The results show that there is a significant difference in users' preferences between intrinsic and extrinsic motivations. The other findings identify the importance and role of user involvement in decision-making processes. Overall the work raises interesting questions about the nature of empirical research as a methodology of relevance to adaptive system design

Developing formative evaluation for complex interaction

© 2019 IADIS Press. All rights reserved. This paper reports on the development, refinement and use of a design instrument for supporting the exploration of interactive tool design. The distinctive focus of the instrument is that it is intended for interactive tools that go beyond the aim of enabling direct interaction. It is intended to tools that by necessity mediate access to rich complex functionality. We argue that the majority of evaluative instruments that HCI designers have at-hand are not particularly useful in this context. We proposed that alternative concepts are of more relevance, specifically the concepts developed in the Cognitive Dimensions Framework. We have developed an instrument to enable and support the critical assessment of alternative complex interaction designs that is motivated by these concepts. Having described the origins of the tool, the paper then describes how it has been applied in three real world design and development settings. The paper concludes with reflections upon how best to refine, encapsulate and further improve the instrument

Make it so! Jean-Luc Picard, Bart Simpson and the design of e-public services

In this paper, we report on a project applying participatory design methods to include people who have experience of social exclusion (in one form or another) in designing possible technologies for e-(local)-government services. The work was part of a project for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the UK, and was concerned with ‘access tokens’ that can provide personal identification for individuals accessing public services, based on technologies such as multi-functional smartcards, flash memory sticks, mobile phone SIMs or similar devices. In particular we report on our experience using the ‘pastiche scenarios’ technique recently developed by Mark Blythe. Our findings indicate that the technique can be effective and engaging in helping people to create realistic scenarios of future technology use and highlight some possible pitfalls to consider when using this technique.</p

Developing visualisations for spreadsheet formulae: towards increasing the accessibility of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects

Spreadsheets are widely used within Science, technology, engineering and maths education. Despite their widespread use, end-user spreadsheet errors are still extremely common and have been shown to have an adverse effect on learning. The textual representation of formulas can be particularly complex and error-prone, exacerbating barriers to dyslexic users. Our work focuses on the design and development of a visual language to graphically represent spreadsheet formulae, with the objective of making them easier to understand than their default textual form. This work contributes to a body of human factors research focused upon spreadsheets