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Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of needfinding in interface design?
What is the primary focus of needfinding in interface design?
Which question is NOT a main focus of needfinding?
Which question is NOT a main focus of needfinding?
Why should designers avoid thinking of 'generic' users?
Why should designers avoid thinking of 'generic' users?
What misconception do managers often fall into regarding users?
What misconception do managers often fall into regarding users?
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What is essential to consider when identifying users?
What is essential to consider when identifying users?
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What characteristic is important for structured questions?
What characteristic is important for structured questions?
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Which type of question is best for obtaining detailed feedback?
Which type of question is best for obtaining detailed feedback?
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What should be avoided in crafting questions?
What should be avoided in crafting questions?
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What should be done before finalizing questions?
What should be done before finalizing questions?
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What is a recommended practice when asking scale-based questions?
What is a recommended practice when asking scale-based questions?
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What type of scale is defined by distinct classes with a pre-defined ordering?
What type of scale is defined by distinct classes with a pre-defined ordering?
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Which type of measurement scale allows for the calculation of the mean and variance?
Which type of measurement scale allows for the calculation of the mean and variance?
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Which statistic is most appropriate for summarizing data from a nominal scale?
Which statistic is most appropriate for summarizing data from a nominal scale?
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What is a potential issue when using scales with an even number of response levels?
What is a potential issue when using scales with an even number of response levels?
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What characteristic defines a ratio scale?
What characteristic defines a ratio scale?
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When constructing questions, what practice is advised to avoid bias?
When constructing questions, what practice is advised to avoid bias?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of requirement mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a type of requirement mentioned?
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What is a common method to gather preferences using an ordinal scale?
What is a common method to gather preferences using an ordinal scale?
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Which type of measurement allows the most comprehensive statistical analysis?
Which type of measurement allows the most comprehensive statistical analysis?
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What does the absolute scale measure?
What does the absolute scale measure?
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What is the difference between process and practice in the context of observation?
What is the difference between process and practice in the context of observation?
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What are common contexts that can influence observation?
What are common contexts that can influence observation?
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Which observation type is characterized by less structure and studying users in their natural environment?
Which observation type is characterized by less structure and studying users in their natural environment?
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What is one downside of controlled observations mentioned?
What is one downside of controlled observations mentioned?
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What effect can the act of observation have on a participant's behavior?
What effect can the act of observation have on a participant's behavior?
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What is a key reason for using naturalistic observation?
What is a key reason for using naturalistic observation?
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How does controlled observation differ in data analysis compared to naturalistic observation?
How does controlled observation differ in data analysis compared to naturalistic observation?
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Which of the following best describes the focus of observing people's current activities?
Which of the following best describes the focus of observing people's current activities?
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What is a disadvantage of using binary questions in surveys?
What is a disadvantage of using binary questions in surveys?
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Which statement best describes the risks associated with surveys?
Which statement best describes the risks associated with surveys?
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What should be considered first when designing a survey?
What should be considered first when designing a survey?
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What type of questions are designed to yield only one possible choice?
What type of questions are designed to yield only one possible choice?
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What is a characteristic of nominal scale measurement?
What is a characteristic of nominal scale measurement?
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What is emphasized in the initial stages of a survey design?
What is emphasized in the initial stages of a survey design?
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What is a common problem when trying to represent a target population in surveys?
What is a common problem when trying to represent a target population in surveys?
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What kind of questions are best for soliciting specific motivations from respondents?
What kind of questions are best for soliciting specific motivations from respondents?
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When designing a survey, which aspect should be minimized?
When designing a survey, which aspect should be minimized?
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What is one reason follow-up questions are restricted in surveys?
What is one reason follow-up questions are restricted in surveys?
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What is the primary purpose of task analysis techniques?
What is the primary purpose of task analysis techniques?
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Which authors wrote about Human-Computer Interaction in their texts?
Which authors wrote about Human-Computer Interaction in their texts?
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Which chapter focuses on effective human-computer interaction strategies?
Which chapter focuses on effective human-computer interaction strategies?
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Which of the following is NOT a focus of task analysis techniques?
Which of the following is NOT a focus of task analysis techniques?
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What type of methods does Lazar, Feng, and Hochheiser primarily discuss?
What type of methods does Lazar, Feng, and Hochheiser primarily discuss?
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Which of the following is considered a technique for understanding user interactions?
Which of the following is considered a technique for understanding user interactions?
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Who are the authors of the book 'Designing the User Interface'?
Who are the authors of the book 'Designing the User Interface'?
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What aspect is particularly emphasized in Chapter 5 of 'Research Methods in HCI'?
What aspect is particularly emphasized in Chapter 5 of 'Research Methods in HCI'?
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Which chapter discusses task analysis in the context of existing systems?
Which chapter discusses task analysis in the context of existing systems?
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Which aspect is least likely to be a focus of the readings listed?
Which aspect is least likely to be a focus of the readings listed?
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Study Notes
Interface Design - ITD34003
- Chapter 3 focuses on identifying needs and establishing requirements, also known as "needfinding."
Goals
- Understand system requirements and user needs.
- Understand "needfinding."
- Learn about tools and instruments for needfinding.
Human-Centered Design Process
- The process begins with understanding user needs ("what is wanted").
- Ethnographic research, interviews, and scenarios are vital aspects of needfinding.
- Analysis of findings guides design decisions.
- Prototypes are created, evaluated, and refined.
- Finally, the system is implemented and documented.
Needfinding Questions
- What do users need?
- What do users want?
- Who are the users?
- How are they currently using the system? (Or, if a new system, how does a similar system function)
- What context does user activity take place in?
- Can this need be approached with direct inquiry?
Know Your Users (1)
- Identify diverse user categories (e.g., young/old, novice/experienced).
- Designers and developers are different from their target users.
- Client representatives are unlikely to be representative users.
- Always prioritize actual users when gathering information.
Know Your Users (2)
- Employ methods such as surveys, interviews, and participatory design to understand users.
- Avoid corporate policies that may restrict direct user interaction.
- Focus on current behavior, pain points, and workarounds.
- Observation techniques (e.g., sessions, video recordings, and diaries) are key.
Know Your Users (3)
- Employ imaginative strategies when real users are unavailable.
- Develop personas (hypothetical user representations) with detailed descriptions.
- Imagine users as real, flesh and blood individuals.
Needfinding Methods
- Understand the techniques used for needfinding.
Methods Outline
- Observation (ethnographic research)
- Surveys
- Interviews
- Focus groups
Observation Techniques
- Observation allows for deep understanding of user behavior.
- Yogi Berra's quote ("You can observe a lot just by watching") highlights the importance of observation.
Ethnographic Observation
- Immerse yourself in the user's environment, culture, and behavior.
- Goal-oriented observation to guide interface design.
- Listen actively to and observe users; take detailed notes and make audio-video recordings.
- Be aware of potential risks, such as misinterpretations, disruptions to normal practice, and overlooking crucial information.
What to Learn by Observation
- Understand current user actions.
- Note user values and goals within their system.
- Identify the larger ecological context for user activity.
- Find similarities and differences across users.
- Pay attention to tacit and unspoken knowledge.
Ethnographic Research
- Detailed, systematic approach employing extended fieldwork.
- Significant amounts of time may be required to achieve deep insights (15 months in one example study).
Observation: Practices vs. Processes
- Distinguish between expected procedures ("process") and actual methods ("practices").
- Note user tricks and workarounds in the field.
Types of Observation (1)
- Controlled observation in laboratory settings is easier to replicate.
- Quantitative methods are useful to quantify results.
Types of Observation (2)
- Naturalistic observation studies users in their natural environment.
- Qualitative methods highlight user insights, however, the method may not be reliable in terms of replication.
Blending In
- Complete Observer (impartial, unobtrusive) technique vs. Complete Participant (participates in activities).
- Carefully avoid intruding on user behaviors and activities.
- Record observations to ensure consistency.
- Validate information with the participants.
Data Collection
- Subjective data: impressions from users, rankings, summary reports, and observed hints.
- Objective data: anecdotes, critical incidents, observed errors and workarounds.
Interviewing
- Asking direct questions about user needs and desires.
- Guide responses with open-ended questions to encourage a deep understanding, and to avoid the need for participants to answer in pre-determined ways.
Main Forms of Interviews
- Surveys: fast, superficial, large-scale.
- In-person interviews: time-consuming, in-depth understanding.
Beware!
- Users may not honestly articulate their needs or wants.
- Especially when it comes to new or disruptive technologies, users may need prompting.
Choosing Participants for Interviews
- Select stakeholders and/or users to represent target users accurately.
- Include similar users of a current system (if a new product, also include non-users).
Executing Interviews
- Establish a comfortable environment.
- Clarify your purpose appropriately.
- Use unbiased, open-ended questions to avoid leading interviews.
- Give users time to answer and expand on those initial responses.
- Follow up with related inquiries to uncover specific details.
Guidelines for Questions
- Structured questions: easier to process. Unstructured questions: encourage further discussion.
- Apply quantitative scales (e.g., Likert) carefully, with clarification (e.g., explanation of a rating of four).
- Questions should use consistent language as that used by the users.
- Ensure questions are suitable for the participant group.
Examples of Open-Ended Questions
- Ask about typical daily activities, positive/negative experiences, and unanswered questions.
Bad Questions to Avoid
- Leading questions will steer answers toward a desired response.
- Questions that assume existing knowledge or hypothetical situations could misrepresent a user experience.
Surveys
- Gathering user requirements through online questionnaires or surveys.
- Useful for broad user sampling and easily visualizable data. However, data collection and analysis approaches need to be appropriately planned.
On-line Services and Surveys
- Surveys are familiar and cost-effective.
- Statistical methods can be used for evaluation and analysis.
- Careful planning is crucial to create surveys aligned with the analysis needed.
Risks in Surveys
- Shallow understanding limited by users' memory.
- Biased participant profiles.
- Difficulty achieving participant diversity.
Survey Structure
- Clearly state the purpose and estimated time needed.
- Categorize questions into sections.
- Minimize required, mandatory background information.
Background Information (Examples)
- Demographics (age, gender, etc.)
- Computer experience (formal vs. informal training, etc.).
- User roles (e.g., decision-making influence)
- User personality styles and behavior (introvert/extrovert, risk-taking).
- Reasons for not using an interface, or other, similar limitations.
Types of Questions
- Open-ended questions: detailed responses.
- Closed-ended questions: multiple-choice options (nominal or ordinal).
Measurement Scales (1)
- Nominal scale: discrete categories (e.g., gender, color, etc.).
- Ordinal scale: ordered categories with varying "distances."
Measurement Scales (2)
- Interval scale: numerical values with fixed intervals (rarely used in survey design).
- Ratio scale: fixed zero point (e.g., age, duration)
- Absolute scale: numerical values reflecting the number of items in a set (e.g., the number of items in a category).
Ordinal Scales: Likert Scales
- Ask for levels of agreement about a statement.
- Include evenly numbered levels.
- Avoid "neutral" options to drive response precision.
Warnings
- Pose simpler questions instead of one complex question.
- Avoid negative language in questions.
- Avoid biased phrasing that can influence responses.
Summary
- Getting the requirements right is vital for the success of the product.
- Different types of requirements (functional, data, environmental, user, and usability) must be addressed.
- Data-gathering methods (interviews, questionnaires, workshops, observation, and documenting past experiences) may help.
References
- Several references provide further perspective.
Thank You
- Presenter expresses gratitude.
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Description
This quiz covers Chapter 3 of the Interface Design course, focusing on needfinding to identify user needs and requirements. Explore the human-centered design process, tools for needfinding, and the significance of ethnographic research and user analysis. Test your understanding of how to effectively gather and analyze user needs for better system design.
