Review Questions

Review Questions for Chapter 1

REVIEWQUESTION1.1
What is the difference between the terms user interface and human
computer interaction?

REVIEWQUESTION1.2
What is the importance of good user interface design? What are the
potential consequences of poor user interface design?

Review Questions for Chapter 2

REVIEWQUESTION2.1
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of direct and indirect
observation?

Review Questions for Chapter 3

REVIEWQUESTION3.1
List the main activities involved in gathering requirements.

REVIEWQUESTION3.2
Bargain Foods is a discount supermarket that uses laser scanning
technology for reading barcodes on grocery items. Who would be the real
users of the system? Who would be the secondary users of the system?

Review Questions for Chapter 4

REVIEWQUESTION4.1
Define the terms goal, task and action.

REVIEWQUESTION4.2
What is a mental model?

REVIEWQUESTION4.3
Give the three main differences between structural and functional models.

Review Questions for Chapter 5

REVIEWQUESTION5.1
What is the difference between a design principle and a design rule?

REVIEWQUESTION5.2
Figure 1 is an illustration of the home page for the OU Learners Guide
website. How well does it support the laws of proximity, similarity, closure
and continuity?

Figure 1 The OU Learners Guide

REVIEWQUESTION5.3
Define visibility, affordance and feedback.

Review Questions for Chapter 6

REVIEWQUESTION6.1
What kinds of prototyping could be useful during the early stages of
system development, i.e. during requirements gathering?

REVIEWQUESTION6.2
List the types of things you will be assessing in (a) early evaluation, and
(b) late evaluation.

Review Questions for Chapter 7

REVIEWQUESTION7.1
Look back through Chapter 7 and list the characteristics of the approach
that Tokairo took that lead to their success in gathering user requirements.

Review Questions for Chapter 8

REVIEWQUESTION8.1
What are the benefits of good UI design?

REVIEWQUESTION8.2
Define task scenario, use scenario, concrete use case and essential use
case.

Anessentialusecaseisahighleveldescriptionofatask.Itissimilartoaconcrete
usecase,butitisatahigherlevelofabstraction,andthetwocolumnheadersare
userspurposeandsystemresponsibility.
Thusitismoreconcernedwithwhattheuserandsystemresponsibilitiesare(orwill
be)ratherthanhowtheyareachieved.

REVIEWQUESTION8.3
Define task object, class and child object.

REVIEWQUESTION8.4
Define content diagram, container and link.

Review Questions for Chapter 9

REVIEWQUESTION9.1
Define the design principles: simplicity, structure, consistency and
tolerance.

Review Questions for Chapter 10

REVIEWQUESTION10.1
What is a metaphor? What are the limitations of metaphors?

REVIEWQUESTION10.2

How might the two main limitations of metaphors affect the usability of
DM interfaces?

Review Questions for Chapter 11

REVIEWQUESTION11.1
Which of the five interaction styles is likely to be the most appropriate for
each of the following examples?
1. A travel agent entering details about a customers requirements for a
holiday.

2. Amultimediaencyclopaediarequiringuserstoexploretheenvironment,play
audioclips,andsoon.
3. Searchingadatabaseusingaformalquerylanguage,suchasSQL.
4. AbankATM,inwhichauserhastochoosefromanumberofoptions.

Review Questions for Chapter 12

REVIEWQUESTION12.1

Suppose that a keyboard or keypad was to be used for a road survey, to

assist in the task of recording the number and types of vehicle that pass a
particular roundabout. What type of keyboard or keypad would you choose
for this situation? Describe your choice in terms of the following
considerations.

Key size.

Robustness.

The keys that are needed.

Assume that cost is not a consideration.

REVIEWQUESTION12.2
Specify a screen type for the following devices. Describe your choice in
terms of technology (LCD or CRT), resolution, screen size, portability and
available space.

A mobile telephone. The screen will indicate when the telephone is

connected to the network, the number being dialled, and so on. It is
likely to be used in all types of situation, including at night and in the
rain.

A desktop computer. The screen will be used to display complex 3D

graphics in a design studio. It is likely that several people will want to
look at the design at any one moment.

REVIEWQUESTION12.3
List two lights and a gauge that might be needed for a digital camera.
Specify the lights in terms of color, brightness and frequency of flashing.

Review Questions for Chapter 13

REVIEWQUESTION13.1
Figure 2 illustrates a screen containing some text. Use the guidelines to
give a critique of this screen, explaining how it should be changed in order
to make it more legible.

Figure 2 Text that is difficult to read

REVIEWQUESTION13.2
Table 1 contains some colors and possible connotations. Do you agree with
these connotations? Taking into account these connotations and the color
intensity, suggest a background color for the following e-commerce
websites.

A site to sell CDs to young people under 25. The site aims to be
exciting and trendy.

A site to sell outdoor clothing to walkers.

A site to sell expensive jewellery to older people.

Table 1 Connotations of different colors (Gtz (1998) with modifications by the

authors)
Color

Positiveconnotations

Negative
connotations

Red

Active,invigorating,exciting,

Aggressive

powerful,strong,energetic,attractive,
dominating
Blue

Controlled,abstinent,mysterious,
intellectual,harmonious,deep,
dreamy,faithful,rational,sensible

Aggressive,
introvertedcold,
melancholic

Blue/Green/Turquoise Refreshing

Aloof,selfwilled,
unemotional,cold,
sterile

Green

Refreshing,harmonious,optimistic,
closetonature,calm,gentle,
conciliatory,strongwilled

Jealous,envious,
inexperienced

Yellow

Colorful,extrovert,cheerful,
youthful,lively,fulloffun,light

Superficial,
exaggerated,vain

Orange

Exciting,direct,joyful,alive,
communicative,warm

Intimate,vigorous,
possessive,cheap

Darkred

Graceful,serious,dignified

Arrogant

REVIEWQUESTION13.3
Consider the use of images in the following three cases. What additional
benefits would the use of each image provide?

How could you use a picture to improve an employee record on a

personnel system for a large company?

How could you use a diagram to add clarity to a screen-based control

system for a car factory?

How could you use a graph or chart for a management information

system providing data about absentee rates in a factory?

Review Questions for Chapter 14

NONE

Review Questions for Chapter 15

REVIEWQUESTION15.1
Look back through Chapter 14. How did Tokairo approach the process of
design? List the main decisions they made.

REVIEWQUESTION15.2
How did Tokairo evaluate the worksheet and kiosk? Why did they choose
different approaches?

Review Questions for Chapter 16

REVIEWQUESTION16.1
Before we start, lets make sure that you are familiar with some of the
different widgets we will be looking at. Match the widgets illustrated in
Figure 3 with the following list: primary window, dialog box, menu bar,
toolbar, command button, option button, check box, drop-down list box
and text box.
If you are using a different version of Microsoft Windows, these widgets
may look slightly different to the ones on your computer, but the
differences should not be too great and the design issues that we cover in
this section are just as relevant.

Figure 3 Some Windows 95 widgets

Review Questions for Chapter 17

REVIEWQUESTION17.1
1. Before we start, lets make sure that you are familiar with some of the
standard terminology used in web page design. Match the features
illustrated in Figure 4 with the following list: frame, link and
navigation bar.
2. What is a home page?
3. What is an interior page?

Figure 4 Different parts of a web page (taken from

http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries/homepage.htm on 23/01/01)

REVIEWQUESTION17.2
Figure 5 contains the home page for lastminute.com, who book air flights
and provide a range of other related services. How well does this page
appear to satisfy the HOME-RUN principles? You will not be able to
comment on all the principles, and will have to make assumptions about
the rest of the site, but they provide a useful way of evaluating a page.

Figure 5 The lastminute.com home page (taken from

http://www.lastminute.com/lmn/default.asp on 27/09/00)

Review Questions for Chapter 18

REVIEWQUESTION18.1
Referring to Normans definition given above, which of the following are
information appliances?

A video cassette recorder.

A pocket calculator.

A desktop PC.

REVIEWQUESTION18.2
The following is a description of two different imaginary PDAs.
The Pen U Like. This includes a diary, address book, to-do list and memo
pad. It has a large screen and uses handwriting recognition. It also has a
small number of buttons (both physical and screen). The device can be
held comfortably in one hand.
The Keys R Us. This has a calendar, scheduler, to do list, clock, calculator
and memo pad. It has a small keyboard and small screen. It uses a
clamshell design, so it is small enough to fit in your pocket when closed.
When open it is a similar height to the Pen U Like but is wider, because of
the keyboard.
Which of the two devices would you choose for the following scenarios,
and why?
1. You are a travelling salesman and you need to use the PDA to store
addresses and order details. The data entry must be rapid, as you need
to enter the data as the client speaks. The data entry is likely to take
place in the clients office, so there will be a desk to lean upon.
2. You are a reporter on a local newspaper and you need to take notes
when you visit fairs and garden parties.

REVIEWQUESTION18.3
Figure 6 illustrates the remote control for a television and video player.
The remote is connected to the television and video player via an infrared
link. Consider the design of this remote in terms of the following issues.

Portability. What advantages and disadvantages are there to this

device being portable? In particular, think of the environment in which
the device is being used and the likely characteristics of the users.
Consider each of the issues listed in the section on portability.

General purpose vs. special purpose. Is this device general or special

purpose? What impact does this have upon the design? How could the
design be simplified?

Figure 6 The remote control for a television and video player

Review Questions for Chapter 19

REVIEWQUESTION19.1
List the main activities that the FAST team needed to perform before an
observation session with the controllers.

REVIEWQUESTION19.2
List the main activities that the FAST team needed to perform before they
were able to inspect the user interface.

REVIEWQUESTION19.3
List one benefit (according to the FAST team) of each of the following:
user-centred design and evaluation, questionnaires, the workload
assessment tool, inspection of the UI.

Review Questions for Chapter 20

ReviewQuestion20.1
Given below is a list of statements that refer to the usability of a new
computer system recently introduced in the local branch of a bank.
Classify these statements in terms of the usability attributes of efficiency,
effectiveness and satisfaction. (As an example: suppose that a customer
mentioned that when he now calls the bank, the personal banker gives the
required information in half the time than before the new system was
introduced. In this case the customer is referring to the efficiency of the
new system.)
1

The bank clerk said that she is happy with the new system, as she can
attend to more customers per hour than before.

The complaints for incorrect statements have reduced.

The queuing in the bank has reduced.

This branch can also issue travellers cheques in foreign currencies, a

facility that was not available before the system was introduced.

ReviewQuestion20.2
Describe two important characteristics of the usability evaluation process
that are also fundamental to user-centred design.

Evaluationisiterativeinnature,andevaluationactivitiesmayneedtoberevised
andrepeated.

Designisnotundertakenactivitybyactivitytheedgesblur,andthereisalarge
amountofoverlapandinteractionbetweentheactivities.Forexample,when
identifyingusabilitydefectsinthedata(analysis),simultaneouslyyouarethinking
ofthecausesfortheproblems(interpretation),andconsideringwaysof
overcomingtheusabilitydefects(recommendations).

Review Questions for Chapter 21

ReviewQuestion21.1
Determine whether each of the following usability requirements in terms is
a qualitative usability requirements or a usability metric.
1. On a website announcing a seminar, a novice user (a new web user)
should take no longer than 3 minutes to submit an on-line registration
form.
2. The users should be able to buy cinema tickets from a ticket-vending
kiosk with no training. The procedure for buying a ticket should be selfexplanatory and the user interface should be easy to use.
3. The terms and conditions of delivering items ordered on an e-shopping
site should be clearly displayed to catch the users attention.
4. The user on an e-shopping site should be able to go through the
ordering process in 3 minutes.

ReviewQuestion21.2
Classify the following usability metrics in terms of effectiveness, efficiency
and satisfaction.

1. The number of errors per hour should not be more than 2.

2. The user should be able to get a query clarified from the on-line help in
less than 2 minutes.
3. Number of users preferring the new system to the old one should at
least be 75% of the total workforce.

ReviewQuestion21.3
A design team is involved in designing and evaluating a ticket-booking
system for a travel agency. Currently, the travel agents refer to the printed
manual for information several times in a working hour. In the new system,
most of the information would be provided on-line and, therefore, the
number of accesses to the printed manual will be reduced.
The usability metric is the number of times the travel agents refer to the
printed manual for information per working hour. The design team plans
to measure this usability metric during evaluation, and have set the
following levels for it.
1. With the old system a travel agent uses the printed manual 6 times in
an hour.
2. The design team would like to achieve a level of 2 times per hour.
3. Ideally, the design team does not want the travel agents to refer to the
paper manuals at all.
Classify the three statements in terms of the following levels: planned,
best case and current.

Review Questions for Chapter 22

ReviewQuestion22.1
List the six areas for which you make decisions about while creating an
evaluation plan.

REVIEWQUESTION22.2
In Chapter 22 you learned about deciding on the tasks for your evaluation.
What suggestions did it make?

Review Questions for Chapter 23

REVIEWQUESTION23.1
A colleague is involved in evaluating the user interface design of a new
model of a mobile phone. She has been asked to validate the time that the
user takes in sending a text message with 5 words. The planned level of
this usability metric is 90 seconds. She is conducting a user-based
observation session. Should she encourage the user to think-aloud, or
should she opt for retrospective discussions? Give reasons for your answer.

Review Questions for Chapter 24

REVIEWQUESTION24.1
What is the purpose of conducting a pilot test before an evaluation
session?

REVIEWQUESTION24.2
What materials do you need for conducting an evaluation?

REVIEWQUESTION24.3
What are the different roles of facilitator and observer?

Notes on Review Questions for Chapter 25

ReviewQuestion25.1
List the activities involved in analysing evaluation data.

ReviewQuestion25.2
List the activities involved in analysing evaluation data.

ReviewQuestion25.3
Define the term severity rating.

Notes on Review Questions for Chapter 26

ReviewQuestion26.1
What other heuristics/design principles are you familiar with from this
textbook?

Notes on Review Questions for Chapter 27

REVIEWQUESTION27.1
Name three contrasting compare elements.

ReviewQuestion27.2
Which type of evaluation (exploratory, assessment, validation or
comparison) should be conducted in each of these situations?
1. John, a user interface designer, works with a company that
manufactures mobile phones. He is currently involved in re-designing
the user interface design of a phone. Before, he starts with the redesign he wants to find out the usability problems with the current
model.
2. Jane is responsibility for designing, evaluating and developing her
Departments Intranet. One usability metric is that the download time
of any Web page on this site should be less than thirty seconds.
3. Alan works for a company that develops software for financial
applications. For the contract he is currently working on, his companys
client is a bank. The bank has its data on several hardware platforms
(for example, PCs, Macs, and Unix systems), and the representatives of
the bank had specified in the contract at the start of the project that
the new software should be portable on all these platforms. Just before
shipping out the software, Alan has to evaluate it and demonstrate to
the bank that this condition of the contract has been satisfied.

ReviewQuestion27.3
Look back at Rubins four types of evaluation: exploratory, assessment,
validation, and comparison. For each of the techniques that have been
discussed decide what type of evaluation(s) you can undertake with each
technique. Indicate your answers by putting a tick mark in the appropriate
column(s).

Exploratory
Performance
Measurement
Remote Evaluation
Heuristic Inspection
Participatory
Heuristic Evaluation

Assessment

Validation

Comparison

Guidelines Reviews
Standards Inspection
Cognitive
Walkthrough
Peer Reviews

Notes on Review Questions for Chapter 28

ReviewQuestion28.1
Why is it important to get action on your findings from evaluation?

ReviewQuestion28.2
What are the four groups of techniques for communicating your findings?

ReviewQuestion28.3
What is a stakeholder?

ReviewQuestion28.4
Here are some remarks made to a usability specialist by colleagues from
elsewhere in an organisation. Each person is at a different level of usability
maturity. Match each remark to a usability maturity level.
1. What should I put into this evaluation plan then?
2. We need that plan early, as I want to make sure weve got time to use

the results for our second iteration of the design.

3. I dont have time for this user-centred stuff, Ive got to ship this on

time.

4. Im going to try to draw up an evaluation plan. Can you help me,

because I havent done one by myself before?

Notes on Review Questions for Chapter 29

ReviewQuestion29.1
Why might a developers goal to do well in his job mean that he does not
accept usability findings?

ReviewQuestion29.2
In Chapter 6, we quoted Tyldesleys list of measurements of usability.
Which ones are particularly appropriate for measuring time spent using an
interface?
Requirements based on staff time and the degree of success in use of the
system are useful in two ways.

Finding out what the targets should be is a good way of justifying

investigation activities.

Finding out whether the UI is likely to cause or prevent lost time due to
errors and workarounds can have a big impact on the overall success
or failure of the system.

ReviewQuestion29.3
Why is it incorrect to think that doing usability means doing testing?