4 - HCI research methods

Abstract

This chapter introduces some of the major research methods that can be used in mobile human-computer interaction (HCI) research. It focuses particularly on verbal protocols, heuristics and cognitive walkthroughs. The idea of using verbal protocols as a form of usability evaluation was originally put forward by Ericsson and Simon. The idea behind this is that it could potentially provide the researcher or usability professional with information on what the user is actually thinking about when they are interacting with a service. Researchers will often use some form of verbal protocol in conjunction with observational data in order to get as much information as possible from the participant in the study. The cognitive walkthrough is a form of system or prototype usability evaluation carried out by experts. This approach was developed by Poison, who was interested in the cognitive activities of the user when they are carrying out a specific task. The cognitive walkthrough assesses each step that a user is required to perform by the system in order to complete a task. Therefore, The role of the evaluator is to walkthrough each step in turn and assess whether or not it meets those users' needs.