System Quality Attributes Research Articles

An exploration and importance-performance analysis of bus rapid transit systems’ service quality attributes: Evidence from an emerging economy

Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems have emerged as efficient, convenient, and cost-effective solutions to meet customer transport needs. Since their advent in developing countries, a plethora of research has examined the service quality attributes of such systems that contribute to customers' overall satisfaction. Yet, there have been some methodological gaps that have limited understanding of what maximizes customer satisfaction with the service quality of the BRT system. This current study intends to fill such gaps and examines drivers of explicit and derived customer satisfaction with BRT systems in the emerging economy of Pakistan. In-depth interviews were first conducted to identify key service quality dimensions for BRT customers from four major Pakistani cities. A structured survey was then used to collect data from a total of 481 respondents (useable responses) using the Qualtrics platform. Data were analyzed via gap analysis, importance-performance grid, and regression analyses in SPSS to identify service quality elements that derive BRT customer satisfaction. These three data analysis techniques produced varying findings regarding service quality dimensions needing improvement to increase satisfaction. This study provides critical insights to improve the customers' BRT experience and some theoretical contributions for future researchers.

Exploring System Quality Elements of Mobile Marketplace Application for Textile Cyberpreneurs

Entrepreneurs' usage of mobile phones in performing business activities is not uncommon these days. Various applications have been created to meet the demands of business owners in assuring seamless business transactions regardless of location or time. Mobile marketplace application is one of the apps that might assist entrepreneurs in selling and purchasing operations. Malaysian entrepreneurs, such as textile cyberpreneurs, are known to using this app, although academic research on this topic have been uncommon. Previous studies have indicated that a system's quality attributes have a key influence in persuading people to utilize the system but very little is known on its’ specific motivating criteria. Hence, this study explored the dimensions of system quality of mobile marketplace app (MMA) for textile cyberpreneurs towards the app adoption. Four interviewees have participated in the study, particularly two textile cyberpreneurs, an academician and a mobile application developer. Thematic analysis and inductive approach were implemented for data interpretation, thus resulting in eight major dimensions of system quality with additional sub-elements. The eight major dimensions were easy-to-use, convenient access, acceptable response time, security and stable function, auto-function, multi-function and attractive design. Each major dimension was further explored in discovering the specific sub-elements in the context of MMA utilization for better comprehension.

Comparative Study of Operating System Quality Attributes

An Operating System is an interface between a user and computer hardware. It’s a piece of software that handles hardware devices and acts as a bridge between an application software and hardware of the computer. Everything the user does is done in the user mode and what the system does is done in the kernel mode. The kernel is a computer program at the heart of the operating system, with absolute control of everything. Operating system concepts have been developed by many manufacturers over the years and a few quality ones to match with user demand and preferences. This paper helps compare operating systems by their quality attributes and using four of the most influential operating systems – Windows, Linux, Mac and Android OS, along with other technical details in assuring user guide when deciding what operating system to choose based on their requirements. The research uses factor analysis to obtain aggregate score based on selection criteria, with first choice at 50%, second choice at 42%, third choice at 6%, fourth choice at 2%. Windows 10 has highest GUI, Hardware Compatibility, Portability and Process Management features. Also it has high Memory Management, Text Mode Interface and file system features. However, Security feature on Windows 10 was least only 2% as fourth choice. Mac OS X has high percentage for Memory Management, GUI, Security and Architecture features. However, Hardware compatibility, Text Mode Interface, File System and Portability features was least only 2% as fourth choice. Linux Ubuntu 17.4 has highest Security, Text Mode Interface, Architecture and File System features. Also having high Portability and Process Management features. However, GUI and Memory Management was least only 2% as fourth choice. It was observed for latest version of operating system all have quality attributes but selecting most preferred choice of operating system would require proper analysis of the user. Windows with a percentage of 37% was first choice, followed by Linux having 33%, Mac with 23% and finally Android with the lowest score of 7%.

The relative importance of bus system's Perceived Service Quality (PSQ) attributes among public and private mode users in Indonesia

Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) is a common approach usually applied in examining public satisfaction and has been adopted in the transportation sector to measure the quality of service provided by the public transport system. This study, therefore, investigated the relative important service quality attributes of bus systems among both public and private modes of transportation users in Banda Aceh in Indonesia. An urban bus system known as the "Trans Koetardja" was used as a case study and a questionnaire designed based on preference survey was applied. A total of 200 samples comprising of 100 bus users and 100 private mode users including cars and motorcycles were used for the preliminary study. Moreover, the IPA approach was used to evaluate the Trans Koetaradja service quality attributes based on importance and performance classification. The quadrant grid plot showed the need for the operators to allocate their resources towards improving their services by considering (a) an improvement in bus stop facilities, (b) enhancement in the route and accurate timetable, and (c) shortening bus travel time and waiting time in the bus stop

Understanding and addressing quality attributes of microservices architecture: A Systematic literature review

Abstract Context: As a rapidly adopted architectural style in software engineering, Microservices Architecture (MSA) advocates implementing small-scale and independently distributed services, rather than binding all functions into one monolith. Although many initiatives have contributed to the quality improvement of microservices-based systems, there is still a lack of a systematic understanding of the Quality Attributes (QAs) associated with MSA. Objective: This study aims to investigate the evidence-based state-of-the-art of QAs of microservices-based systems. Method: We carried out a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify and synthesize the relevant studies that report evidence related to QAs of MSA. Results: Based on the data extracted from the 72 selected primary studies, we portray an overview of the six identified QAs most concerned in MSA, scalability, performance, availability, monitorability, security, and testability. We identify 19 tactics that architecturally address the critical QAs in MSA, including two tactics for scalability, four for performance, four for availability, four for monitorability, three for security, and two for testability. Conclusion: This SLR concludes that for MSA-based systems: 1) Although scalability is the commonly acknowledged benefit of MSA, it is still an indispensable concern among the identified QAs, especially when trading-off with other QAs, e.g., performance. Apart from the six identified QAs in this study, other QAs for MSA like maintainability need more attention for effective improvement and evaluation in the future. 3) Practitioners need to carefully make the decision of migrating to MSA based on the return on investment, since this architectural style additionally cause some pains in practice.

Prominent quality attributes of crisis software systems: a literature review

Developing software systems to meet user-demanded functionality is critical. Achieving the design goals by providing the needed functionality is a necessary task, and it is about figuring out a proper set of quality attributes and implementing each one by reflecting a complete set of quality attributes. This study presents popular quality attributes of crisis software systems by conducting a literature review. Each crisis software system has been studied by concentrating on crisis management phases where the system is used, design purposes, and the data processing style. The findings of this research shed light on the crisis software development process by presenting a quality attribute-oriented perspective, addressing design challenges, and recommending to developers remedies to handle challenges.

Predicting Reliability of Object-Oriented Systems Using a Neural Network

One of the most important quality attributes of computer systems is reliability, which addresses the ability of the software to perform its required function under stated conditions for a stated period of time. The paper aim is twofold. Firstly, the proposed approach explores how to define a metric to qualify the sub-aspects comprised in ISO 25010 regarding reliability as maturity and availability. Secondly, we investigate to what extent the internal structure of the system quantified by the Chidamber and Kemerer (CK) metrics may be used to predict reliability. The approach for prediction is a feed-forward neural network with back-propagation learning. The results indicate that CK metrics are promising in predicting reliability using a neural network method.

On the impact of service-oriented patterns on software evolvability: a controlled experiment and metric-based analysis.

BackgroundDesign patterns are supposed to improve various quality attributes of software systems. However, there is controversial quantitative evidence of this impact. Especially for younger paradigms such as service- and Microservice-based systems, there is a lack of empirical studies.ObjectiveIn this study, we focused on the effect of four service-based patterns—namely Process ion, Service Façade, Decomposed Capability, and Event-Driven Messaging—on the evolvability of a system from the viewpoint of inexperienced developers.MethodWe conducted a controlled experiment with Bachelor students (N = 69). Two functionally equivalent versions of a service-based web shop—one with patterns (treatment group), one without (control group)—had to be changed and extended in three tasks. We measured evolvability by the effectiveness and efficiency of the participants in these tasks. Additionally, we compared both system versions with nine structural maintainability metrics for size, granularity, complexity, cohesion, and coupling.ResultsBoth experiment groups were able to complete a similar number of tasks within the allowed 90 min. Median effectiveness was 1/3. Mean efficiency was 12% higher in the treatment group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Only for the third task, we found statistical support for accepting the alternative hypothesis that the pattern version led to higher efficiency. In the metric analysis, the pattern version had worse measurements for size and granularity while simultaneously having slightly better values for coupling metrics. Complexity and cohesion were not impacted.InterpretationFor the experiment, our analysis suggests that the difference in efficiency is stronger with more experienced participants and increased from task to task. With respect to the metrics, the patterns introduce additional volume in the system, but also seem to decrease coupling in some areas.ConclusionsOverall, there was no clear evidence for a decisive positive effect of using service-based patterns, neither for the student experiment nor for the metric analysis. This effect might only be visible in an experiment setting with higher initial effort to understand the system or with more experienced developers.

Non-Functional Requirement Template for Usability Aspect based on NIMSAD Evaluation Engineering

In requirement engineering, non-functional requirement is a requirement that specifies characteristics of system behavior and sys-tem quality attributes. Furthermore, a non-functional requirement template facilitates system stakeholders in better system documentation, system elicitation and system traceability. However, some non-functional requirements may come from many type of requirements document and no stringent standard has been applied that lead to various pattern of non-functional requirements tem-plate. Specifically, in usability requirement, the quality attribute is being ignored and less expressive in majority requirements document. Therefore, this study was motivated to propose the most feasible non-functional requirement template for usability aspect. NIMSAD evaluation is used to obtain the most feasible non-functional requirement template by comparing existing non-functional requirement templates based on the following criteria which are i) general concepts, ii) modeling concepts and iii) analysis concepts. From the NIMSAD evaluation results, it is found that Boilerplates template is the most feasible non-functional requirement tem-plate for usability aspect.

A domain analysis of resource and requirements monitoring: Towards a comprehensive model of the software monitoring domain

Abstract [Context] Complex and heterogeneous software systems need to be monitored as their full behavior often only emerges at runtime, e.g., when interacting with other systems or the environment. Software monitoring approaches observe and check properties or quality attributes of software systems during operation. Such approaches have been developed in diverse communities for various kinds of systems and purposes. For instance, requirements monitoring aims to check at runtime whether a software system adheres to its requirements, while resource or performance monitoring collects information about the consumption of computing resources by the monitored system. Many venues publish research on software monitoring, often using diverse terminology, and focusing on different monitoring aspects and phases. The lack of a comprehensive overview of existing research often leads to re-inventing the wheel. [Objective] We provide a domain model to structure and systematize the field of software monitoring, starting with requirements and resource monitoring. [Method] We developed an initial domain model based on (i) our extensive experiences with requirements and resource monitoring, (ii) earlier efforts to develop a comparison framework for monitoring approaches, and (iii) an earlier systematic literature review on requirements monitoring frameworks. We then systematically analyzed 47 existing requirements and resource monitoring approaches to iteratively refine the domain model and to develop a reference architecture for software monitoring approaches. [Results] Our domain model covers the key elements of monitoring approaches and allows analyzing their commonalities and differences. Together with the reference architecture, our domain model supports the development of integrated monitoring solutions. We provide details on 47 approaches we analyzed with the model to assess its coverage. We also evaluate the reference architecture by instantiating it for five different monitoring solutions. [Conclusions] We conclude that requirements and resource monitoring have more commonalities than differences, which is promising for the future integration of existing monitoring solutions.

Using the importance-performance analysis to improve hospital information system attributes based on nurses’ perceptions

Abstract Objectives We identified service attributes of HIS that are relevant to importance and performance of a Hospital Information System (HIS), and prioritized those that need management intervention. Methods Following a shakedown phase in the HIS of a public hospital in Iran, we examined all available 57 registered nurses’ perceptions about importance and performance of the current HIS system along a set of attributes representing system quality, information quality, and service quality through a valid and reliable questionnaire. Using an importance-performance analysis, we identified and mapped those attributes that are main improvement priorities for management intervention and the ones that should be maintained in the developed HIS. Results Our results showed that two system quality attributes (ease of use, ease of learning) should be maintained, and three of them (system reliability, response time, and the fitness of the system features to nurses’ work) should be improved in the newly developed HIS system. Conclusions Our analysis may help hospital managers and software developers to divert resources, time, and energy from attributes that overkill resources to those that need more management attention. The implication for the hospital management is to focus on improving the technical aspect of the current HIS system.

Model-Based Verification of Security and Non-Functional Behavior using AADL

Modeling of system quality attributes, including security, is often done with low fidelity software models and disjointed architectural specifications by various engineers using their own specialized notations. These models are typically not maintained or documented throughout the life cycle and make it difficult to obtain a system view. However, a single-source architecture model of the system that is annotated with analysis-specific information allows changes to the architecture to be reflected in the various analysis models with little effort. We describe how model-based development using the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) and compatible analysis tools provides the platform for multi-dimensional, multi-fidelity analysis and verification. A special emphasis is given to analysis approaches using Bell-LaPadula, Biba, and MILS approaches to security and that enable a system designer to exercise various architectural design options for confidentiality and data integrity prior to system realization.

Strategic Improvement for Quality and Satisfaction of Hospital Information Systems.

The purpose of our study aimed to identify attributes capable of improving physicians' satisfaction levels with the use of a hospital information system (HIS). A model inclusive of system quality, information quality, and service quality related to an HIS is used to form antecedents of user satisfaction. Survey methodology was used to collect an attributive set representing the system quality, information quality, and service quality made available from 150 physicians at a large health-care system in southern Taiwan. Responses were segmented into low and high satisfaction and analyzed with partial least squares and importance-performance analysis. The results reveal that system quality, information quality, and service quality may be used to significantly predict physicians' satisfaction. Two system quality attributes (reliability and response time) were identified as the highest priorities for intervention by low- and high-satisfaction users. Low-satisfaction users further expect improvement of the HIS service quality to take place. The subject health-care system should produce coping interventions for those high priorities to enhance the satisfaction of physicians.

Report of AAPM Task Group 162: Software for planar image quality metrology.

The AAPM Task Group 162 aimed to provide a standardized approach for the assessment of image quality in planar imaging systems. This report offers a description of the approach as well as the details of the resultant software bundle to measure detective quantum efficiency (DQE) as well as its basis components and derivatives. The methodology and the associated software include the characterization of the noise power spectrum (NPS) from planar images acquired under specific acquisition conditions, modulation transfer function (MTF) using an edge test object, the DQE, and effective DQE (eDQE). First, a methodological framework is provided to highlight the theoretical basis of the work. Then, a step-by-step guide is included to assist in proper execution of each component of the code. Lastly, an evaluation of the method is included to validate its accuracy against model-based and experimental data. The code was built using a Macintosh OSX operating system. The software package contains all the source codes to permit an experienced user to build the suite on a Linux or other *nix type system. The package further includes manuals and sample images and scripts to demonstrate use of the software for new users. The results of the code are in close alignment with theoretical expectations and published results of experimental data. The methodology and the software package offered in AAPM TG162 can be used as baseline for characterization of inherent image quality attributes of planar imaging systems.

Critical Quality Attributes of Control Drug Release Systems and Their Impact on Rational Polymer Selection

Critical Quality Attributes of Control Drug Release Systems and Their Impact on Rational Polymer Selection

Evaluating Health Information Systems Using Ontologies.

BackgroundThere are several frameworks that attempt to address the challenges of evaluation of health information systems by offering models, methods, and guidelines about what to evaluate, how to evaluate, and how to report the evaluation results. Model-based evaluation frameworks usually suggest universally applicable evaluation aspects but do not consider case-specific aspects. On the other hand, evaluation frameworks that are case specific, by eliciting user requirements, limit their output to the evaluation aspects suggested by the users in the early phases of system development. In addition, these case-specific approaches extract different sets of evaluation aspects from each case, making it challenging to collectively compare, unify, or aggregate the evaluation of a set of heterogeneous health information systems.ObjectivesThe aim of this paper is to find a method capable of suggesting evaluation aspects for a set of one or more health information systems—whether similar or heterogeneous—by organizing, unifying, and aggregating the quality attributes extracted from those systems and from an external evaluation framework.MethodsOn the basis of the available literature in semantic networks and ontologies, a method (called Unified eValuation using Ontology; UVON) was developed that can organize, unify, and aggregate the quality attributes of several health information systems into a tree-style ontology structure. The method was extended to integrate its generated ontology with the evaluation aspects suggested by model-based evaluation frameworks. An approach was developed to extract evaluation aspects from the ontology that also considers evaluation case practicalities such as the maximum number of evaluation aspects to be measured or their required degree of specificity. The method was applied and tested in Future Internet Social and Technological Alignment Research (FI-STAR), a project of 7 cloud-based eHealth applications that were developed and deployed across European Union countries.ResultsThe relevance of the evaluation aspects created by the UVON method for the FI-STAR project was validated by the corresponding stakeholders of each case. These evaluation aspects were extracted from a UVON-generated ontology structure that reflects both the internally declared required quality attributes in the 7 eHealth applications of the FI-STAR project and the evaluation aspects recommended by the Model for ASsessment of Telemedicine applications (MAST) evaluation framework. The extracted evaluation aspects were used to create questionnaires (for the corresponding patients and health professionals) to evaluate each individual case and the whole of the FI-STAR project.ConclusionsThe UVON method can provide a relevant set of evaluation aspects for a heterogeneous set of health information systems by organizing, unifying, and aggregating the quality attributes through ontological structures. Those quality attributes can be either suggested by evaluation models or elicited from the stakeholders of those systems in the form of system requirements. The method continues to be systematic, context sensitive, and relevant across a heterogeneous set of health information systems.

A System Quality Attributes Ontology for Product-Service Systems Functional Measurement Based on a Holistic Approach

The importance of cost engineering within Product-Service Systems (PSS) discipline has increased in recent years. Literature reveals that there is a need for holistic PSS cost determination approaches dealing both with PSS cost engineering and PSS functional uncertainty - as a System of Systems (SoS), as PSS cost determination uncertainty arises from the limited understanding of PSS behavior as a SoS. This work proposes a System Quality Attributes (SQA) Ontology developed to measure the function of a PSS: How well it performs in light of its intended purpose? The PSS-SQA Ontology was constructed on the foundations of SoS Engineering and Reliability Engineering disciplines. It propose a holistic approach to PSS functional measurement, covering the most accepted PSS typology, including product-, use- and result-oriented PSSs. The work contributes to PSS engineering by offering an SQA Ontology that quantifies PSS functionality and reduces PSS functional uncertainty for further cost determination.

An importance-performance analysis of hospital information system attributes: A nurses' perspective

PurposeHealth workers have numerous concerns about hospital IS (HIS) usage. Addressing these concerns requires understanding the system attributes most important to their satisfaction and productivity. Following a recent HIS implementation, our objective was to identify priorities for managerial intervention based on user evaluations of the performance of the HIS attributes as well as the relative importance of these attributes to user satisfaction and productivity outcomes. ProceduresWe collected data along a set of attributes representing system quality, data quality, information quality, and service quality from 154 nurse users. Their quantitative responses were analysed using the partial least squares approach followed by an importance-performance analysis. Qualitative responses were analysed using thematic analysis to triangulate and supplement the quantitative findings. Main findingsTwo system quality attributes (responsiveness and ease of learning), one information quality attribute (detail), one service quality attribute (sufficient support), and three data quality attributes (records complete, accurate and never missing) were identified as high priorities for intervention. ConclusionsOur application of importance-performance analysis is unique in HIS evaluation and we have illustrated its utility for identifying those system attributes for which underperformance is not acceptable to users and therefore should be high priorities for intervention.

Changes in the soil quality attributes of continuous no-till farming systems following a strategic tillage

The adoption of no-till farming systems has greatly reduced energy and machinery inputs while significantly improving soil health and productivity. However, the control of crop weeds and diseases in no-till (NT) systems has become increasingly difficult for landholders in Australia’s northern grains regions, with occasional strategic tillage (ST) being considered as a potential management option. This study investigated the effects of occasional ST on physical, chemical and biological soil properties, productivity, and weed control on five long-term (7–44 years) NT-managed soils. The study area extended from Biloela (Vertosol, 666 mm annual rainfall), Condamine (Sodosol, 624 mm annual rainfall), Moonie (Dermosol, 636 mm annual rainfall) and Warwick (Vertosol, 675 mm annual rainfall) in Queensland to Wee Waa (Vertosol, 582 mm annual rainfall) in New South Wales. Tillage treatments included chisel, offset disc and prickle–disc chain with various timings and frequencies. Soil samples (0–0.3 m) obtained 3 and 12 months after occasional ST were analysed for total and particulate organic carbon (TOC, POC), available phosphorus (P), bulk density, soil water, and microbial enzymatic activity. In-crop weed density was also recorded. One-time tillage, with chisel tines, offset disc or chain harrows, in long-term NT helped to control winter weeds in the first year, with variable results in the second year. Grain yield overall showed no significant impact in either year, except on the Brown Sodosol (P = 0.08) in the first year. The initial impacts of strategic tillage on soil water were largely restricted to the 0–0.1 m depth range, with slight, non-significant decreases occurring. Available P, TOC, POC and total microbial enzymatic activity were not significantly impacted by either cultivation frequency or implement type. The use of an occasional ST for the purpose of weed control could be utilised as a viable management option for NT systems in the region without impacting on long-term productivity.

Patient perspectives of telemedicine quality.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to explore the quality attributes required for effective telemedicine encounters from the perspective of the patient.MethodsWe used a multi-method (direct observation, focus groups, survey) field study to collect data from patients who had experienced telemedicine encounters. Multi-perspectives (researcher and provider) were used to interpret a rich set of data from both a research and practice perspective.ResultsThe result of this field study is a taxonomy of quality attributes for telemedicine service encounters that prioritizes the attributes from the patient perspective. We identify opportunities to control the level of quality for each attribute (ie, who is responsible for control of each attribute and when control can be exerted in relation to the encounter process). This analysis reveals that many quality attributes are in the hands of various stakeholders, and all attributes can be addressed proactively to some degree before the encounter begins.ConclusionIdentification of the quality attributes important to a telemedicine encounter from a patient perspective enables one to better design telemedicine encounters. This preliminary work not only identifies such attributes, but also ascertains who is best able to address quality issues prior to an encounter. For practitioners, explicit representation of the quality attributes of technology-based systems and processes and insight on controlling key attributes are essential to implementation, utilization, management, and common understanding.