Human-Computer Interfaces - Modeling And Evaluation

The human-computer interface is the area of contact between people and computers. Within this area, the interface component of interest is the computer software that determines the conceptual and perceptual interactions that users of the computer perform. It is generally accepted that poor interface design can lead users to experience stress, lower work rates, decreased job satisfaction and even absenteeism (Booth, 1989). Designers are not trained in human factors concepts. They may not understand or consider the user\u27s needs or working environment. A poor interface design can lead to misuse or lack of use of the computer system. The system may include many capabilities without including the functionality needed by the user. Many times a user in this situation will discover a way to perform the needed task, even though it may be clumsy and undesirable from the user\u27s point of view. Research in the area of human computer interface is needed. In the past, when the primary objective of software design was compilers, operating systems, and other development tools, designers of computer systems were the users or were typical of the computer users. Resultant computer systems were more likely to meet the designer\u27s personal needs since their needs and style were used to model user requirements. Today computer users no longer are the computer professionals but are mostly discretionary users. The software designers are no longer typical of the ultimate user but are rather unique and are unrepresentative of the user (Shackel, 1985). Tools, techniques, design practices, and methodologies are required in order to build a model of how users will behave at an interface and of what users require from a system. This paper discusses two topics in this area: user modelling and task analysis, and the evaluation of user interfaces