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Usability Evaluation of Web Applications

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8 views4 pages

Usability Evaluation of Web Applications

Uploaded by

j.tutored
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name: Kibet Kirui Aaron

Reg no: G127/1362/2021

Date: 3rdmarch 2022

Unit code: BIT 107

Unit name: INTERFACE PROGRAMMING

Lecturer: Prof. Meshack Kawinzi


1. Describe any WEB-BASED application (the name and the purpose for which it has
been developed – Provide the LINK to this application) [5 Marks]

Spreadsheets is a computer application for computation, organization, analysis and


storage of data in tabular form. Spreadsheets were developed as computerized analogs of
paper and accounting worksheets. The program operates of data entered in cells of a
table.
2. Explain how the designer has achieved Schneider man’s EIGHT GOLDEN RULES [ 10
Marks]
Introduction

Shneiderman’s eight golden rules are intended to help designers solve problems, and for
this purpose it offers the significant help with his eight heuristics. To improve the
usability, the interface needs to be well designed to be users friendly.
a) Strive for consistency.

The layout, color code, button size or the tone used when writing the page should be
consistent through the site. This allows the identity development and not losing users as
they navigate the site.
b) Enable frequent users to use shortcuts
it should allow users to access all parts of the website with a minimum of clicks. To do it,
one should not only establish a good hierarchy but also make things clear in the menu.
c) Offer informative feedback
If the users are performing actions on your website or have done so, then its best to
display immediate feedback so that they can have an idea of where their processes are.
d) Design dialog to yield closure
Always remember to close any interaction made with a user based on the cause of the
interaction like Thank you message, validation message, and summary message during a
purchase. This may help reduce mental load and improve his experience on your
interface.
e) Offer simple error handling
Good interfaces should be designed to avoid errors as much as possible. Though, if
something goes wrong, the system should make it easier for users to understand and
resolve the problem. Giving notifications and descriptive hints to resolve the problem.

f) Permit easy reversal of actions


It’s always good to the user to choose “cancel “once they discover an error. If the user
gets an easy way of solving a problem, they will feel less anxious and more willing to
explore the options.
g) Support internal locus of control
users should have freedom and control so that they can feel that they have control of the
system themselves, giving them some form of free will help to reassure the user.

h) Reduce short term memory load


The limitation of human information processing in short term memory requires that
displays kept simple, multiple page displays be consolidated.
Avoid over loading the site or application with information of the same level. You
should deduce which comes first or you’ll lose user’s [Link] matter where
you place your site, make sure that the user can’t be distracted by unnecessary
information.
Conclusion
Respecting the rules proposed by Shneiderman is not to be taken as gospel, however
having clear guidelines will allow you to orientate your audits and will allow you to
detect the main problems that you may encounter on your web interfaces.
3. Describe how USABILITY PRNCIPLES can be used to evaluate this application [15
Marks]
a) Availability.
Availability is simply how easy it is to access your website. Your website’s availability
can be affected by the web hosting platform you use and by how compatible it is with the
devices users are accessing it with.
b) Clarity.
Clarity is the core of website usability. Visitors come to your site with specific goals in
mind, and we promise those goals don’t include checking out your web design skills! If
your website’s design distracts or confuses visitors, they’ll either need more time to find
what they came for, or they might forget their initial goal altogether and leave. In either
case, they’re leaving dissatisfied and unlikely to come back.
c) Recognition.
Recognition is a way of describing the learning process users undertake when they visit
a new site. You might not feel that your website needs to be studied to be used, but in
reality, all sites require at least a few seconds of assessment before a user can interact
with them. The vast majority of users will, for instance, need to navigate back to your
homepage at some point, and most will look for a logo in the top left corner of their
screen to do so. If your website works differently, they’ll have to spend a few seconds
learning how to get back to the homepage. When you design for usability, strive to keep
this learning curve as short as possible.
d) Credibility.
Even if customers can easily find the content or functionality they’re looking for, if they
don’t trust it, the website is worse than useless for them. There are a lot of ways to
demonstrate your credibility through your website design, like being transparent about
your business and goals.
e) Relevance.
Relevance is perhaps the most complex issue in usability because it describes whether
the content that your customers see on your site is engaging. Creating engaging content
involves carefully defining your target audience, determining what they want and meeting
their needs as clearly as possible.
References
1. Turban, E., King, D., McKay, J., Marshall, P., Lee, J., Viehland, D., et al. (2008).
Electronic commerce: A managerial perspective. 5th ed.. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall.
Recommended Reference Materials:

2. Laudon and Traver.(2019).E-Commerce: Business, Technology, Society, 15th Edition


(International Edition). Pearson Education.

3. Bharat Bhasker.(2006). Electronic Commerce. Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishing Co Ltd,


New Delhi.

4. Turban, Rainer, and Potter(2003), Introduction to E-Commerce, second edition, 2003

5. Schneider, G. P. (2017). Electronic commerce. 12th ed. Boston, MA: Cengage


Learning. ISBN: 978-1305867819

Common questions

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Recognition is important because it minimizes the user's cognitive load needed to learn how to navigate a site. Enhancing this can be achieved by using intuitive design elements, such as placing recognizable icons like logos in standard locations, which makes navigation learning straightforward and reduces the time users spend familiarizing themselves with the site .

Availability impacts usability by determining how easily users can access a website. Factors such as web hosting reliability and compatibility with different devices play significant roles. If a website is frequently inaccessible or difficult to access on specific devices, it hinders user experience and can deter users from returning .

Informative feedback is crucial as it provides immediate responses to users' actions, thereby confirming that the action has been received and processed by the system. This reduces user anxiety and helps them understand the state of the system at any given time, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction and trust in the application .

Credibility plays a key role in web usability as it determines whether users trust the content or functionality of a site. Websites can foster credibility by being transparent about their business operations and goals. This transparency reassures users about the legitimacy of the website, making them more likely to engage with the content and return in the future .

Relevance challenges usability by demanding that content be engaging and meet user needs clearly. Addressing this requires defining a target audience and understanding their needs comprehensively. By tailoring content to the audience's expectations and creating engaging experiences, designers can ensure that users find value in the site's offerings, enhancing overall satisfaction and usability .

Clarity is essential because it helps visitors achieve their goals without unnecessary confusion. When a website's design distracts users or is not intuitive, it increases the time and effort needed to find information, potentially leading users to abandon the site if they are unable to quickly locate what they need .

Supporting an internal locus of control empowers users by giving them autonomy over their interactions with the system, making them feel responsible and in charge. This freedom encourages users to engage more deeply with the application, fostering satisfaction as users feel less dictated by the system and more in tune with their personal decision making .

Reversal of actions allows users to undo commands or choices, thus providing them a safety net to correct mistakes, which enhances their sense of control over the application. This function reduces user anxiety and encourages exploration without the fear of irreversible consequences, promoting a more relaxed and confident interaction with the interface .

Consistency in web interface design involves uniformity in layout, color schemes, button sizes, and tones across all pages of a website. This helps in developing a clear identity and reduces the cognitive load on the user as they navigate through the site. Consistent design allows users to familiarize themselves with the interface structure and behavior, making navigation more intuitive and efficient .

Reducing short-term memory load is critical because it aligns design with human cognitive capacities, allowing users to focus on tasks without being overwhelmed. Simple displays and consolidated information presentation help users efficiently process information, enhancing user experience by making interactions smoother and more intuitive, thus retaining user attention and satisfaction .

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