ABSTRACT
Ergonomics/Human Factors has always played a key role in evaluating technology. Whilst the disciplines of human-computer interaction (HCI) and E/HF are distinct, in the same way as there is much in HCI that has evolved from E/HF, there is a need for E/HF practitioners to be versed in typical HCI approaches. Furthermore, there is a need to strike a balance between approaches to evaluation which might be pragmatically expedient (e.g. in terms of generating results over short time periods or with very few respondents) and those approaches which are rigorous (e.g. in terms of generating results in a controlled and testable manner). In this chapter, two approaches to the evaluation of HCI are considered. The usability approach focuses on the performance of goal-based tasks using computer interfaces and, consequently, addresses issues of productivity, for example in terms of metrics for efciency and effectiveness in achieving a particular goal, and the level of satisfaction that a user might express concerning the computer interface. In contrast, the user experience approach focuses on factors such as pleasure and aesthetics and addresses computer gaming or
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................360 When and Where to ‘Evaluate’ ......................................................................................................360 Dening ‘Usability’ and ‘User Experience’ .................................................................................. 363 What Does HCI Evaluation Involve? ............................................................................................. 365
Evaluation Implies Critique ...................................................................................................... 365 Evaluation Involves Measurement ............................................................................................ 365 Evaluation Requires Comparison with a Referent Model .........................................................366
