Evaluating globally (original) (raw)

A Review of Empirical Intercultural Usability Studies

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2014

In this paper, we discuss the applicability of usability engineering methods to software engineering projects in intercultural contexts. We have conducted a review of 55 empirical studies from the field of intercultural usability engineering. Categories from ISO TR 16982 were used as a classification framework.

International Remote Usability Evaluation: The Bliss of Not Being There

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2007

This paper describes the planning and implementation of a crossborder usability test that was to be executed in five European countries. The usability evaluation was designed by the Usability Group at Helsinki University of Technology who also performed the testing for the Finnish partner. In the other countries the usability tests were to be implemented by teams of subject matter specialists with very heterogeneous disciplines ranging from software engineering to social sciences, gender equality and vocational counselling. This paper describes the level of materials and training prepared for the remote usability testing and discusses its adequacy both via test personnel satisfaction and comments, and by comparing the found usability problems and observed phenomena in the test sessions between the test executed by the usability experts and the subject matter specialists.

Usability Assessment in the Multicultural Approach

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2013

In order for products to be marketed successfully, product designs should accommodate users' cultural differences. Considering these aspects, various authors have already pointed out the need for studies in cultural usability. The main objective of this paper is to identify culture usability elements for product design. First, we have selected associate usability studies with culture, specifically for cases applied to product design. The next step is to identify variables and methods used in a cultural and usability context. We characterize the usability research into practical elements, in order to then apply summative and formative usability methods. Next, we differentiate the type of knowledge involved in the variables: explicit or tacit knowledge. Finally, we discuss a possible preview of the system variables culture and usability within the concept of a complex system.

Researching Culture and Usability — A Conceptual Model of Usability

An experiment conducted to determine the effects of subjective culture on the usability of computerized systems did not provide sufficient evidence that any of the tested cultural dimensions affected the usability of the product. Analysis indicated that the differences in scores could have been attributed to variables other than those tested and controlled for. This indicated a need to build a more detailed conceptual model of usability before empirical research of this nature can be effectively carried out. Additional variables influencing usability and strategies for controlling for these variables under experimental conditions were identified and validated. The valid variables were incorporated into a conceptual model of usability for use in future research endeavours. This paper presents this conceptual model as well as strategies to control the variables.

Cultural Aspects of the Think Aloud Usability Evaluation Methods (UEM).

2006

ABSTRACT In this short paper, we will focus on the impact of culture on the established Usability Evaluation Methods (UEM). The production and use of technologically advanced information and communication applications is no longer restricted to the Western world. There are indications that usability testing procedures developed for use in eg Europe or the US fail to give reliable results in countries such as India, China or Malaysia.