Dr. Sam Racine - Evaluating the Usability of Web-based Applications: A Case Study

February 3, 2005

Location:

February 2005

Evaluating the Usability of Web-based Applications: A Case Study

Speaker: Dr. Sam Racine

Program Manager: Dick Hedger

Thursday, 03 February, 2005
5:30-8:00 p.m. at The University of Minnesota
5:30 start of networking, 6:15 start of meeting, 8:00 end of meeting
Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Bldg.
Room EE/CS 3-180
Minneapolis, MN

Meeting Abstract:

This presentation will discuss the topic of usability and why and how it should be measured, will introduce and discuss the technique of contextual inquiry, and will describe a specific contextual inquiry conducted over a two-week period that measured and evaluated the usability of a web-based, enterprise-level cargo application. Discussion of the specific evaluation will include test design, participants, findings, and a critique of the project and its results.

Audience members will learn:

An approach to unraveling the complexity involved in defining usability and applying appropriate techniques to measuring it
The practical requirements for doing usability evaluation: participants, stakeholders, budgets, timing, personnel and skills
The particular technique of usability evaluation, Contextual Inquiry: when it should be applied, how, and to what ends
Techniques for successfully evaluating usability with real users within their actual environment regardless of technique
Techniques for sorting test data into test results into recommendations for design

About the Speaker:

Dr. Sam Racine has extensive experience designing user interfaces and evaluating them for usability: Specific engagements include enterprise-level applications for the cargo and passenger airlines, federal government procurement and banking institutions, library systems, and online tourism systems. Racine also has extensive experience presenting information on usability, in both national and regional conferences, including keynote addresses. Further, she has given presentations to various customers of software solutions, including state and federal government employees, international airline and air cargo customers, and Unisys decision makers. Previously published work includes articles on e-commerce and user interface development. Her dissertation focused on evaluating the usability of catalogues, from paper-based offerings to online stores such as Landsend.com and Amazon.com.

The following files related to this presentation are available for download:

Presentation Materials
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