Usability Attributes Research Articles

An interactive dashboard for analyzing user interaction patterns in the i2b2 clinical data warehouse

BackgroundClinical data warehouses provide harmonized access to healthcare data for medical researchers. Informatics for Integrating Biology and the Bedside (i2b2) is a well-established open-source solution with the major benefit that data representations can be tailored to support specific use cases. These data representations can be defined and improved via an iterative approach together with domain experts and the medical researchers using the platform. To facilitate these discussions, it is important to understand how users interact with the system.ObjectiveThe objective of this work was to develop metrics for describing user interactions with clinical data warehouses in general and i2b2 in particular. Moreover, we aimed to develop a dashboard featuring interactive visualizations that inform data engineers and data stewards about potential improvements.MethodsWe first identified metrics for different data usage dimensions and extracted the relevant metadata about previous user queries from the i2b2 database schema for further analysis. We then implemented associated visualizations in Python and integrated the results into an interactive dashboard using Dash.ResultsThe identified categories of metrics include frequency of use, session duration, and use of functionality and features. We created a dashboard that extends our local i2b2 data warehouse platform, focusing on the latter category, further broken down into the number of queries, frequently queried concepts, and query complexity. The implementation is available as open-source software.ConclusionA range of metrics can be derived from metadata logged in the i2b2 database schema to provide data engineers and data stewards with a comprehensive understanding of how users interact with the platform. This can help to identify the strengths and limitations of specific instances of the platform for specific use cases and aid their iterative improvement.

Quality Analysis Of Seameo Recfon Website Using The Webqual Method

his study aims to analyze and measure the quality of the SEAMEO RECFON website. The method used in this research is the Webqual method, which is a method or technique for measuring website quality based on end user perceptions which is used as the main reference with indicators of usability, information quality, and service interaction and the Importance Performance Analysis method. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire of 50 questionnaires. The results showed that the level of user satisfaction with functionality has been achieved, while the level of user satisfaction with information quality has not been achieved, and the quality-of-service interaction has not been achieved. Based on the assessment of the three measurement dimensions, the usability dimension has a value of (0.245), the service interaction dimension has a difference or gap value of - (0.39) and the information dimension has a difference or gap value of - (0.26). Based on this, it can be concluded that the actual perception of quality has not been able to meet the ideal quality desired by SEAMEO RECFON website users, especially from quality attributes related to information on the website.

A Systematic Literature Review on the Operationalization of Usability in Urban Pluvial Flooding Climate Services and the Influence of Contextual Factors

ABSTRACTExtreme weather impacts due to climate change, such as urban pluvial flooding, necessitate adaptive measures. To support decision making in climate adaptation, climate services provide information and guidance to policy makers and other stakeholders. Effective use of climate services is prohibited by usability gaps. Some causes for these gaps originate from contextual factors. However, these factors are not well understood within academic literature. Therefore, our systematic review has two research questions: (1) What dimensions of climate service usability are considered in the design and evaluation of their use and how are these operationalized?; and (2) What contextual influences may affect these identified dimensions? To this end, we analyzed 51 articles that cover one or more urban pluvial flooding climate services. Our results show several overarching categories of usability dimensions (functionality, ease of use, reducing time and effort, reliability, matching user needs, and other). However, these dimensions are not always fully operationalized by authors. Furthermore, our results show that most contextual factors originate from the meso level (within or between organizations), and in lesser extent the macro (e.g., national policies) and micro level (individual users). Here especially organizational (e.g., Does the climate service fit organizational work approaches?); and process factors (e.g., Was the climate service co‐produced?) have been shown to affect usability. We conclude that more attention should be given to usability as a concept within the design and evaluation of climate services well as to the influence of contextual influences.

Usability Evaluation For Child Development Website Interface

This study aims to evaluate the usability of the child development website interface using the usability testing method. The evaluation was conducted by involving 20 participants consisting of parents and caregivers of children, who were asked to complete a series of tasks on the website. The assessment was carried out based on five main dimensions of usability: learnability, efficiency, memorability, errors, and satisfaction. The results showed that the website had good learnability, with the majority of participants being able to understand the interface on first use. User satisfaction was also high, with an average score of 4 out of 5. However, some problems were found in terms of efficiency, especially related to navigation which sometimes required too many steps. In addition, the level of user error increased on more complex tasks, such as using child development aids, which required clearer instructions. These findings provide recommendations for improving the usability of the website, including simplifying navigation, providing more comprehensive guidance, and improving feedback from the system. Implementation of these improvements is expected to increase the effectiveness of the website in helping parents monitor their child's development more efficiently.

The Uses of Lightweight Material in Civil Engineering : A Review

A lightweight aggregate (LWA) is a group of aggregates with a relative density lower than normal density aggregates (natural sand, gravel, and crushed stone), sometimes referred to as low density aggregate. It is utilized for its reduced weight and exceptional qualities in sound reduction, fire resistance, insulation, and geotechnical applications LWA, or lightweight aggregate, is a cutting-edge construction material that is employed to decrease the overall weight of tall structures. Despite being lighter, it possesses a strength that is comparable to that of regular concrete. In recent times, there has been a significant surge in the use of lightweight aggregate in the field of building, mostly because of its exceptional performance in seismic situations. In addition, substituting natural aggregate with other industrial by-products and trash enables us to minimize the adverse environmental consequences. Laser wavelength ablation (LWA) has also been employed to address a wide range of geotechnical engineering challenges, including the transformation of soft and unstable soil into a suitable and usable property. Lightweight fillings have a weight that is around 50% less than fills made using typical materials. The load reduction, along with the high internal friction angle of the lightweight aggregate, can decrease vertical and lateral pressures by almost 50%, potentially resulting in less settling. This literature study examines the use of lightweight materials, including LECA, Bonza, and Thermostone, in geotechnical engineering applications. The results demonstrate a significant emphasis on improving slope stability and minimizing stresses on susceptible soils. Nevertheless, several knowledge gaps exist regarding the efficacy of these materials under challenging conditions and when subjected to dynamic loads. A growing inclination towards using these lightweight aggregates is observed because of their advantageous environmental and mechanical properties. Further investigation is needed to examine the extended-term performance and interactions of these materials with different soil types in order to enhance their performance in diverse geotechnical situations.

Asymmetric fiscal policies and digital economy development: An empirical analysis based on the global digital value chain perspective

The indicator system for evaluating the development level of the digital economy is multidimensional and dynamic. Accurate and scientific evaluation of the digital economy's development level is crucial. This study, based on the characteristics of the digital economy's development stages, evaluates the value creation dimension of the digital economy from the perspective of the global digital value chain. Additionally, it considers the access and usage dimensions to construct a comprehensive indicator system for evaluating the global digital economy development level. The results reveal significant disparities in digital economy development between countries, but also show that some developing countries have experienced rapid improvements in their digital economy development levels. In theoretical and empirical research, this paper utilizes the Barro Rule and the Cobb-Douglas production function, employing mathematical derivations combined with empirical regression analysis to explore the relationship and mechanisms between asymmetric fiscal policies and digital economy development during economic downturns. It finds that in the new era of the digital economy, governments often implement proactive asymmetric fiscal expenditure policies during downturns. Continuously promoting the development levels of national digital economies is an important mechanism for forming these characteristics of fiscal expenditures. Finally, this study proposes relevant policy recommendations, enriching academic research and policy discussions in the fields of financial fiscal policy and digital economy development.

QUALITY ANALYSIS OF THE ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ORDER SYSTEM USING WEBQUAL AND EUCS METHODS

Within district of Hulu Sungai Selatan there is a website for the community to offer goods or services, namely SIOPEN, SIOPEN functions as a forum for the HSS community and umkm to offer their goods or services to the local government. The goal of this research is to evaluate SIOPEN's quality using the Webqual approach and users' degree of satisfaction using the EUCS approach. The Webqual approach, which has three dimensions information quality, usability, and interaction service was employed in this research together with the EUCS approach. The EUCS approach has some variables in partikular ease of use, accuracy, format, content, and timeliness. The approach of gathering information data through respondents via sending out online questionnaires to SIOPEN users and determining the sample using the formula from Slovin obtained 88 users then obtained by Webqual Index and Average Satisfaction. The results of research measuring the three dimensions of Webqual show that are in very good interpretation, The information quality dimension obtained 0.8392, the usability dimension obtained 0.8292, then the service interaction dimension obtained 0.8284. The findings from assessing the level of the satisfied user three variables of EUCS in particular content at a score of 4.27, ease of use at a score of 4.21, and timeliness at a score of 4.28 are at very satisfied level, then the other two variables are accuracy at a score of 4.15 and format at a score of 4.11 at a satisfied level.

Usability testing of a conceptual model through retrospective cross-case analysis

Qualitative conceptual models are commonly used in the scientific literature to make complex phenomena easier to understand. However, the effectiveness and usability of conceptual models to serve as analytical tools is rarely explored and tested, and there is a lack of guidelines for such analyses. This paper adapts and combines the methods of usability testing and cross-case analysis to describe a systematic protocol to facilitate the qualitative evaluation of conceptual models. Usability testing is an established method for identifying problems or shortcomings within a product and for assessing different dimensions of product usability: suitability, accessibility, relevance, and integrity. Cross-case analysis, on the other hand, is a qualitative research method for systematically comparing information from individual case studies and identifying commonalities and patterns that apply across cases. Taken together, these methodological approaches provide a structured way of retrospectively applying a conceptual model to existing literature and thereby evaluating its effectiveness in meeting its intended purpose.•We show how researchers can prepare, conduct, and synthesise the results of a usability test of a conceptual model.•We provide recommendations for the practical implementation of each step.•We outline the benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations that researchers should be aware of.

Conceptualization and Measurement of Voice Interaction Usability: The Development of Cooperative Principle Theory for Smart Product Use

The usability of voice interaction is critical for consumers to have a satisfactory experience when interacting with voice-controlled smart products. However, voice interaction from the user’s perspective is underresearched and there are no existing scales to measure voice-interaction usability. This study uses a mixed methods approach to explore the construct of voice-interaction usability and establish a scale that can be used for measuring it. We first developed voice-interaction usability dimensions based on user reviews by using a coding technique that stems from grounded theory and then set up a classification of voice-interaction usability with five dimensions and 13 subdimensions based on cooperative principle theory. After developing the multilevel dimensions, we collected and examined multiple rounds of survey data to develop and validate a voice-interaction usability scale. This study enhances cooperative principle theory by extending the four-principle framework, developing the subdimensions of the framework in the human-machine voice-interaction context, and operationalizing the dimension concepts by developing the associated scales. The voice-interaction usability scale not only contributes to research on users’ behavior and experience with voice-controlled smart products but also provides insights to improve the design of voice-interaction functions.

Evaluation criteria for lifestyle applications – The role of MAUQ factors in satisfaction

Abstract The most common health-related apps are lifestyle apps, i.e., fitness, nutrition, diet, and meditation apps, which account for half of all m-health apps on the market. Mobile app-based interventions have been shown to be effective in improving diet-related health outcomes. The aim of this study is to map the usage patterns of lifestyle apps (fitness, diet, and relaxation apps) and identify the role of each factor in the usability of MAUQ (m-Health App Usability Questionnaire) factor - ease of use, interface satisfaction, and usefulness - in overall satisfaction. Data were collected through an online survey in Hungary with 348 users of various lifestyle applications, i.e., fitness (30.2%), nutrition (31.3%), and mindfulness (38.5%) apps. Respondents showed a preference for free apps over paid ones and predominantly used iOS operating systems. The partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) method was used to identify the role of usability dimensions in overall satisfaction. The satisfaction of lifestyle app users is positively influenced by ‘Ease of Use’ and ‘Interface and Satisfaction’. However, effectiveness (positive physical and mental health outcomes) negatively influences satisfaction. Research can be particularly useful for app developers, as usability and design (features) play a particularly important role in satisfaction, so these are primary considerations in development.

Exploring the reasons behind guests’ disregard for service robots in the hospitality: conceptualising the role of physical engagement in human-robot interaction

ABSTRACT This exploratory study aims to theoretically and empirically examine why hotel guests often overlook service robots by conceptualising the role of physical engagement in enhancing human-robot interaction. Using unobtrusive observation and semi-structured interviews, the study identifies phenomena related to the gap between observing and using hospitality service robots, as well as identifies the underlying dimensions of physical engagement. The results reveal that physical engagement consists of five key dimensions: distance dimension, visual dimension, guiding dimension, usability dimension, and performance dimension. Additionally, the study introduces a framework for consumer physical engagement with service robots in hotels, systematically enhancing our understanding of human-robot interaction in the hospitality industry. These findings provide valuable insights for hospitality practitioners to enhance robot adoption and operational efficiency.

Development of a Maturity Model for Medical Patient Registries - A Community Approach.

Development of a generic model to visualize the potential for use and further development of registries to assess the suitability of the registry for a specific purpose. Multi-stage community approach. The maturity model has 9 categories with 105 items. The purpose of the registry is mapped via potential usage dimensions. Important for acceptance is the appropriateness of the requirements in relation to the purposes.

Development of a preparation method for Bronze Age flanged axes

Abstract This project involved the metallographic examination of Early and Middle Bronze Age axes with respect to their manufacture and processing. The processing from casting to finished axe determines the microstructure and thus the properties required for use – in this case the combination of hardness and ductility – of the object. However, the objects under investigation are valuable cultural assets that must not be destroyed. For this reason, a preparation method was developed that allows the microstructures to be analyzed in a minimally invasive manner so that the objects can be restored. The investigations have shown that all objects have undergone a multi-stage thermomechanical treatment after casting, but to different degrees, resulting in different usability properties.

Evaluation of social and assistive robotics in geriatric institutions: Dimensions of usability, acceptability and ethics

Evaluation of social and assistive robotics in geriatric institutions: Dimensions of usability, acceptability and ethics

The Use of Virtual Reality in the Countries of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technologies have become one of the teaching tools with the greatest training potential in higher education. Thus, the study of factors that influence the adoption and valuation of VR by the educational agents involved is a fruitful line of research, because it can provide keys to promote its incorporation. This article compares the assessments of VR as a teaching technology in higher education given by professors from countries that are members of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) with those of professors from countries in the Latin American region that are not members of CABEI. For this purpose, a validated questionnaire on the perception of VR use was administered to a sample of 1246 professors from the entire Latin American region, and their responses were statistically analyzed. As a result, it was found that professors from CABEI countries give better ratings to the usability dimensions of VR and report a lower number of disadvantages in its use than professors from countries outside CABEI. However, the increase in the digital competence of professors in CABEI countries is more than twice as high as the increase in the valuation of VR. It follows that there is still much room for the integration of VR in higher education in CABEI countries. Furthermore, in CABEI countries there is a more pronounced gap between professors from private and public universities with respect to the above-mentioned ratings than in non-CABEI countries. As a consequence, some implications and suggestions derived from the results are reported.

An Artificial Intelligence-Based App for Self-Management of Low Back and Neck Pain in Specialist Care: Process Evaluation From a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Self-management is endorsed in clinical practice guidelines for the care of musculoskeletal pain. In a randomized clinical trial, we tested the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence-based self-management app (selfBACK) as an adjunct to usual care for patients with low back and neck pain referred to specialist care. This study is a process evaluation aiming to explore patients' engagement and experiences with the selfBACK app and specialist health care practitioners' views on adopting digital self-management tools in their clinical practice. App usage analytics in the first 12 weeks were used to explore patients' engagement with the SELFBACK app. Among the 99 patients allocated to the SELFBACK interventions, a purposive sample of 11 patients (aged 27-75 years, 8 female) was selected for semistructured individual interviews based on app usage. Two focus group interviews were conducted with specialist health care practitioners (n=9). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Nearly one-third of patients never accessed the app, and one-third were low users. Three themes were identified from interviews with patients and health care practitioners: (1) overall impression of the app, where patients discussed the interface and content of the app, reported on usability issues, and described their app usage; (2) perceived value of the app, where patients and health care practitioners described the primary value of the app and its potential to supplement usual care; and (3) suggestions for future use, where patients and health care practitioners addressed aspects they believed would determine acceptance. Although the app's uptake was relatively low, both patients and health care practitioners had a positive opinion about adopting an app-based self-management intervention for low back and neck pain as an add-on to usual care. Both described that the app could reassure patients by providing trustworthy information, thus empowering them to take actions on their own. Factors influencing app acceptance and engagement, such as content relevance, tailoring, trust, and usability properties, were identified. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04463043; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04463043.

Farmers’ perceived rating and usability attributes of agricultural mobile phone apps

Cassava crop is in the forefront among the arable crops mostly cultivated in Nigeria. It is a crop that International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have invested more efforts to develop mobile digital solutions for farmers to address some of the agronomic issues threatening its productivity. The ultimate aim of the digital solution is to bring innovations closer to farmers as well as to bring about the transformation needed to achieve food security in Africa. However, farmers’ (users) quality rating and usability of agricultural mobile apps remains uncertain thereby, creating knowledge gap. Feedbacks of users are critical to inform developers of the apps about necessary modifications. This study therefore examined the usability attributes of Agricultural Mobile Phone Applications (AMPAs) among cassava farmers in South-west Nigeria using users-centered approach. Because of the selected crop, apps evaluated in this study were Akilimo App, Airtel 4-21 call App and IITA herbicide calculator App. Akilimo App is an advisory tool that provides site-specific recommendations to cassava farmers in order to increase their cassava-based cropping systems; Airtel 4-2-1 call App provides a voice-based tutorial on cassava production, weather, education, rice amongst others by simply dialing 4-2-1 on any mobile phone with an Airtel sim card; while IITA herbicide is a mobile application developed to prevent herbicide abuse, such as over-dosing and/or under-dosing. Four hundred and ten (410) cassava farmers were recruited as respondents for the study. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation. As the major contribution, it was shown for the first time, how users (farmers) rated the three Apps in terms of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, information quality, and subjective quality while usability of the Apps were rated for efficiency, effectiveness, satisfaction, learnability, memorability, cognitive load, accuracy and error. Similarly, pattern of usage, benefits of usage and constraints to usage of the Apps were further investigated.

IPREDICT: Characterization of Asthma Triggers and Selection of Digital Technology to Predict Changes in Disease Control.

The iPREDICT program aimed to develop an integrated digital health solution capable of continuous data streaming, predicting changes in asthma control, and enabling early intervention. As part of the iPREDICT program, asthma triggers were characterized by surveying 221patients (aged ≥18 years) with self-reported asthma for a risk-benefit analysis of parameters predictive of changes in disease control. Seventeen healthy volunteers (age25-65 years) tested 13 devices to measure these parameters and assessed their usability attributes. Patients identified irritants such as chemicals, allergens, weather changes, and physical activity as triggers that were the most relevant to deteriorating asthma control. Device testing in healthy volunteers revealed variable data formats/units and quality issues, such as missing data and low signal-to-noise ratio. Based on user preference and data capture validity, a spirometer, vital sign monitor, and sleep monitor formed the iPREDICT integrated system for continuous data streaming to develop a personalized/predictive algorithm for asthma control. These findings emphasize the need to systematically compare devices based on several parameters, including usability and data quality, to develop integrated digital technology programs for asthma care.

A Blueprint of IR Evaluation Integrating Task and User Characteristics

Traditional search result evaluation metrics in information retrieval, such as MAP and NDCG, naively focus on topical relevance between a document and search topic and assume this relationship as mono-dimensional and often binary. They neglect document content overlap and assume gains piling up as the searcher examines the ranked list at greater length. We propose a novel search result evaluation framework based on multidimensional, graded relevance assessments, explicit modelling of document overlaps and attributes affecting document usability beyond relevance. Document relevance to a search task is seen to consist of several content themes and document usability attributes. Documents may also overlap regarding their content themes. Attributes such as document readability, trustworthiness, or language represent the entire document’s usability in the search task context, for a given searcher and her motivating task. The proposed framework evaluates the quality of a ranked search result, taking into account the contribution of each successive document, with estimated overlap across themes, and usability based on its attributes.

Analyzing Communication and Satisfaction in Mental Health Online Consults for Students

Online mental health consultation applications have become increasingly prevalent in Indonesia. Teenagers, including college students use these applications to communicate their problems and seek solutions. This study aims to describe final year students' experiences in using these applications. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an online mental health consultation service through the perceptions of 118 users, utilizing a Likert scale across three key dimensions: usefulness, usability, also integration and infrastructure. The findings indicate a generally positive reception of the service. In the usefulness dimension, the service scored well in terms of meeting advertised expectations, maintaining consistent quality, fostering optimism, providing clarity on mental health issues, and making users feel at ease. The usability dimension highlighted the enjoyable nature of the application and its benefits, though it revealed a need for improvement in accessibility for users with disabilities. The integration and infrastructure dimension reflected positively on the service's intuitive design and user-friendliness, with high scores in data confidentiality, responsiveness of counsellors, clarity of communication, and effectiveness in addressing user issues. Users also expressed a willingness to reuse the service for future mental health needs, indicating its perceived value and reliability.