Human-Computer Interaction Introduction
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Questions and Answers

What was the authors' original word-processing package?

  • Command-line based
  • Graphical user interface-based
  • Touch-based
  • Menu-based (correct)

    • Why did the authors' first attempt at writing the introduction fail?

  • The word-processing package crashed
  • The trackball cursor was faulty
  • The authors accidentally selected the delete option instead of save (correct)
  • The authors were inexperienced with the software

    • Why do errors like the authors' experience still occur despite computers being marketed as 'user friendly' and 'easy to use'?

  • Designers are not expert users of their own systems
  • Designers do not test their systems under pressure (correct)
  • Designers are not aware of user needs
  • All of the above

    • What is a consequence of poor design choices in human-computer interaction?

    <p>User frustration and loss of work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the result of the authors hitting the 'Confirm' button?

    <p>Their work was deleted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the word 'catastrophe' relevant in this context?

    <p>The authors' work was deleted</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about the designer of the word-processing package?

    <p>They did not test their system with a trackball</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for studying human-computer interaction?

    <p>To improve user experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'user' refer to in the context of HCI?

    <p>A group of users working together or a sequence of users in an organization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'computer' in the context of HCI?

    <p>Any technology, including a desktop computer, a large-scale computer system, a process control system or an embedded system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of interaction involves a dialog with feedback and control throughout performance of the task?

    <p>Direct interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the user's interaction with the computer?

    <p>To accomplish something using the technology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is HCI considered a multi-disciplinary subject?

    <p>Because it involves a range of topics, including psychology, cognitive science, ergonomics, sociology, computer science, engineering, business, graphic design, and technical writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What disciplines are involved in understanding the user's skills in HCI?

    <p>Psychology, cognitive science, ergonomics, and sociology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ideal characteristic of a designer of an interactive system?

    <p>Expertise in a range of topics, including psychology, cognitive science, ergonomics, sociology, computer science, engineering, business, graphic design, and technical writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is not a sufficient characteristic of a design team for HCI?

    <p>A single person with expertise in all areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of the EC Directive 90/270/EEC?

    <p>To ensure software is suitable for the task</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did the term human–computer interaction begin to be widely used?

    <p>Early 1980s</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of ergonomists?

    <p>Physical characteristics of machines and systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the society formed in 1949 to study the interaction between humans and machines?

    <p>Ergonomics Research Society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between Human Factors and Ergonomics?

    <p>Ergonomics is concerned with physical characteristics, while Human Factors is concerned with cognitive issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why designers and employers can no longer afford to ignore the user?

    <p>National health and safety standards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompted the systematic study of human performance in the early 20th century?

    <p>The Second World War</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern of Human Factors and Ergonomics?

    <p>User performance in the context of any system, whether computer, mechanical or manual</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary question being discussed in the context of HCI?

    <p>Whether HCI is a science or a craft discipline</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the analogy drawn from in the context of HCI?

    <p>Architecture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of understanding the science behind HCI?

    <p>To maximize the potential benefit of innovative ideas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between art and science in HCI?

    <p>They are complementary aspects of HCI</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the outcome of reusing lessons learned from the past in HCI?

    <p>More usable systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary challenge when considering novel systems in HCI?

    <p>The tension between craft and science</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of scientific rationalization in HCI?

    <p>To understand how and why innovative ideas work</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ultimate goal of combining art and science in HCI?

    <p>To create systems that are both usable and effective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the book?

    <p>Showcasing the significance of usability in interface design</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary benefit of using interface design techniques?

    <p>To force designers to consider the user's perspective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it essential to involve users in the design process?

    <p>Because users have vital knowledge and can identify flaws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of conducting usability testing?

    <p>To identify flaws in the interface and improve its usability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of sitting someone down with an early version of an interface?

    <p>To identify flaws in the interface and improve its usability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary reason why designers may find it incomprehensible that users have trouble with the system?

    <p>Because they find the system easy and pleasant to use</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of using a notebook and pencil, and a home-video camera in usability testing?

    <p>To suffice as a substitute for professional usability laboratories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the potentially fatal flaw in the mechanical syringe's interface?

    <p>The use of a numeric keypad to enter doses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Why Human-Computer Interaction?

    • Human-computer interaction (HCI) is crucial because poor design choices can lead to errors, frustration, and lost productivity.
    • Even simple mistakes, like deleting a file instead of saving it, can occur due to design flaws.

    Definition of Human-Computer Interaction

    • HCI involves the interaction between a user (individual, group, or sequence of users) and a computer (desktop, large-scale, process control, or embedded system).
    • This interaction can be direct (with feedback and control) or indirect (batch processing or intelligent sensors).

    Multi-Disciplinary Nature of HCI

    • HCI requires expertise in various fields, including:
      • Psychology and cognitive science (user's perceptual, cognitive, and problem-solving skills)
      • Ergonomics (user's physical capabilities)
      • Sociology (wider context of the interaction)
      • Computer science and engineering (building the necessary technology)
      • Business (marketing)
      • Graphic design (interface presentation)
      • Technical writing (manuals)

    Importance of HCI

    • National health and safety standards, such as EC Directive 90/270/EEC, require employers to provide usable computer systems.
    • Designers and employers must ensure that software is suitable for the task, easy to use, adaptable, and provides feedback on performance.

    Brief History of HCI

    • The term HCI has been in widespread use since the early 1980s.
    • Systematic study of human performance began in the early 20th century, focusing on manual tasks.
    • The Second World War led to increased interest in human-machine interaction, resulting in the formation of the Ergonomics Research Society in 1949.

    Craft and Science in HCI

    • HCI involves both artistic skill and scientific method.
    • Innovative ideas and artistry are necessary for designing beautiful and novel interfaces, but scientific rationalization is required to understand how and why they work.

    Design Focus

    • There are no quick fixes in HCI, but a few simple steps can make a dramatic improvement.
    • Thinking "user" and involving users in the design process can help identify flaws and improve the system.
    • Simple evaluation techniques, such as testing and user feedback, can be valuable in improving the interface.

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    Description

    Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction discussing the importance and relevance of the field, highlighting a personal anecdote about a design quirk and user error.

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