Elke Duncker

Cross-cultural usability of the library metaphor

Computing metaphors have become an integral part of information systems design, yet they are deeply rooted in cultural practices. This paper presents an investigation of the cross-cultural use and usability of such metaphors by studying the library metaphor of digital libraries in the cultural context of the Maori, the indigenous population of New Zealand. The ethnographic study examines relevant features of the Maori culture, their form of knowledge transfer and their use of physical and digital libraries. On this basis, the paper points out why and when the library metaphor fails Maori and other indigenous users, and indicates how this knowledge can contribute to the improvement of future designs.

Cultural Representation for Multi-culture Interaction Design

This research works towards the integration of cultural factors in global information systems like the Web or digital libraries to enhance global access to information and services. In this context, we study cultural differences in categorization and classification by means of card sorting experiments in combination with observations and interviews. An initial analysis of data collected in Pakistan and UK reveals a number of differences between Pakistani and British participants as to how they classify every-day objects. The differences found suggest a number of design solutions for cultural inclusion.

Cultural representation for Interactive Information system

The massive use of technologies has spurred a new revolution in Interactive Information system. This research is being conducted to address the integration of cultural factors to enhance the reach of information access, which is caused by the ambiguity of cultural terminology. In this context, we study cultural differences in categorization and classification by means of card sorting experiments in combination with observations and interviews. We also investigate how different cultures view similar concepts in different ways and how these can be represented. An initial analysis of data collected in Pakistan and UK reveals a number of differences between Pakistani and British participants as to how they classify every-day objects. The differences found suggest a number of design solutions for cultural inclusion.

From Global Terminology to Local Terminology: A Review on Cross-Cultural Interface Design Solutions

This paper provides a brief overview of cross-cultural interface design solutions combining cross-language information retrieval and cross-cultural designing. Language is a part of culture in a sense, but most of researchers deal with these two issues separately because they have many different issues and solutions in nature. The diversity of sources and perspectives taken into account for the review including practitioners’(software localization) and technical (e.g. semantic web, ontologies) solutions, design processes (e.g. cultural finger print), design elements (e.g. cultural markers), and philosophically informed discussions (e.g. semiotics).

The cultural integration of knowledge management into interactive design

This research is being conducted to address the integration of cultural factors in interactive information system to enhance the reach of knowledge management to culturally heterogeneous user. In this context, we introduced a knowledge management framework. This method will help researchers to understand how different cultures view similar concepts. The result and analysis we expected in this research is intended to guideline to design knowledge management based cross-cultural interface. The result will increase usability enhancement and interaction patterns in interactive design.

Exploring older women's confidence during route planning

In-car route guidance is automatic, requiring a minimum of time and thinking. This paper explores the use of personalised information when providing instructions for navigating a journey. We focus on older women with a lifetime of experience. Ten female participants were interviewed to elicit their comfort zone with respect to navigating in a car from their own home. Two routes were then devised for each participant, which extended beyond this comfort zone, and presented to them in two different formats. Participants then navigated the route of their least preferred format. Questionnaires and interviews were used to explore the effects of the formats on their confidence, cognitive effort and use of cognitive mapping facilities. The questionnaire data showed that the more detailed instructions supported cognitive mapping processes and the interviews suggested that this support was valued prior to executing the route.

How Can Culturally Specific Variables Increase the Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction of Computing User?

This research is being conducted to address the integration of cultural factors to enhance the reach of information access. In this context, we investigate how different cultures view similar concepts in different ways and how these can be represented. These differences can be bridged by a common information structure (i.e. identifying concept, common vocabulary and links them according to their relationship and constraints.) Therefore, the possible solution is to represent these differences by developing a cultural based