Károly Hercegfi

The impact of user experience levels on web credibility judgments

Users judge the credibility of websites while browsing for information. The criteria that influence how they judge the credibility depend on many factors. In this study we found that computer expertise had a strong impact on what criteria users used in their credibility judgments. Participants evaluated websites they found while searching and described their credibility evaluation process. The criteria identified from their evaluations differed between novice and intermediate/expert users.

An exploratory study on search behavior in different languages

More and more people search online in a language that is not their native language due to the limited availability of content in underrepresented languages [1]. Most such users search in English as a second language. Very few researchers studied the challenges second language searchers face, even though searching in a foreign language and language proficiency and skills constitute an essential part of the context of searching, which can in return impact the search process and outcome. This exploratory study examines differences in first and second language web searching. Query reformulations from 14 participants who searched in English (first language) and Spanish (second language) and 17 participants who searched in Hungarian (first language) and English (second language) are analyzed and compared. Preliminary results show that searching in a foreign language requires significantly longer time, more query reformulations, and more websites viewed. User feedback also indicates that the search strategy that our participants successfully use in their first language is often much less efficient in their second language.

Improved temporal resolution heart rate variability monitoring-pilot results of non-laboratory experiments targeting future assessment of human-computer interaction.

This paper outlines the INTERFACE software ergonomic evaluation methodology and presents new validation results. The INTERFACE methodology is based on a simultaneous assessment of heart rate variability, skin conductance, and other data. The results of using this methodology on-site, in a non-laboratory environment indicate that it is potentially capable of identifying quality attributes of elements of software with a temporal resolution of only a few seconds. This paper presents pilot results supporting this hypothesis, showing empirical evidence in spite of the definitely non-laboratory environment: they indicate that the method is robust enough for practical usability tests. Naturally, in the future these pilot results will have to be followed with further laboratory-based verification and refinement. This paper focuses only on some characteristics of this method, not on an actual analysis of human-computer interaction; however, its results can establish a future practical and objective event-related analysis of software use.

Event-related assessment of hypermedia-based e-learning materials with an HRV-based method that considers individual differences in users.

This paper reports results of an assessment of e-learning materials with the INTERFACE software evaluation methodology. On the one hand, this method of analysis allows us to identify ergonomics problems; on the other, to decide to what extent those problems and their severity concern all users in general and to what extent they depend on the users ‘ type and characteristics. This is the first publication to apply the new marking, export, and statistical features of INTERFACE used in a quantitative analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) curves instead of earlier time-based statistics and qualitative methods. It presents correlations between event-related characteristics of human-computer interaction and the currently required mental effort showed with HRV. The paper also discusses correlations between variables and cognitive-style test scores which indicate the role of individual differences in ergonomics.

Usability Evaluation by Monitoring Physiological and Other Data Simultaneously with a Time-Resolution of Only a Few Seconds

This paper outlines the INTERFACE methodology developed by researchers of our department. It is based on the simultaneous assessment of Heart Period Variability (HPV), Skin Conductance (SC) , and other data. The objective and significance of this paper are (1) showing its capability of identifying quality attributes of software elements with a time-resolution of only a few seconds and (2) presenting its practical applicability in the evaluation phase of a real software development process. The Department of Ergonomics and Psychology at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics carried out a contract-based applied research project for the Generali-Providencia Insurance Co. Ltd. The Company was in the process of further developing the software used in its customer centers, and our Department contracted to assess the user interface. Both analytical and empirical usability evaluation methods were applied. In this paper, we highlight the new experiences of the INTERFACE testing methodology.

Designers of Different Cognitive Styles Editing E-Learning Materials Studied by Monitoring Physiological and Other Data Simultaneously

At the Corvinus University of Budapest, a series of experiments was performed, applying the INTERFACE testing methodology developed by researchers of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. This methodology is capable of recording data characterizing the users current mental effort derived from Heart Period Variability (HPV) and the users emotional state indicated by Skin Conductance (SC) parameterssimultaneously and synchronized with other characteristics of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). The current experiments aim to study how the teachers (electronic curriculum designers, developers) themselves use the e-learning development tools to design and edit a new piece of e-learning material.

Supporting children's online identity in international communities

Increasingly, adults and children socialise and communicate online. Childrens safe and secure online communication with people from all over the world can increase their understanding of other cultures, which is an important goal in todays multicultural world. Our research studied such interactions between children from three countries, Hungary, Mexico, and the USA. The goals of our research were to study how children represent their identity online and what the implications are for the design of childrens online communities. We used qualitative methods to derive a deep understanding of childrens behaviours and motivations. Our results show that children exposed their true and complete identities online. They focused on sharing and learning about personal, ethnic, and gender identities via online media and largely ignored cultural identity. They learned about children from other countries and developed positive attitudes towards them. Based on our results we describe design guidelines for childrens online identity tools.

Iterative design of a collaborative 3D virtual information management environment

The goal of this paper is to describe the design of a collaborative 3D immersive virtual information management environment. This environment was developed in order to study collaborative information retrieval behavior by users. In the first phase of research we designed and developed this environment in the Virtual Collaboration Arena (VirCA) collaborative space.

Cooperation in Real-Time Using a Virtual Environment

Effective team interaction over great distances are already supported by many digital tools. However, cooperative manipulation of common objects is limited and most non-verbal information (gaze direction, facial expressions) can be transmitted only partially or are missing completely. The inclusion of these additional information sources can enrich cooperative problems solving situations. In our demonstration we highlight the capabilities of the Virtual Collaboration Arena to support such interactions. With the help of a volunteer from the audience in Bamberg we will present parts of an information management task solved cooperatively with another user seated in Budapest.

Qualitative analysis of user experience in a 3D virtual environment

This paper describes elements of user experience of a collaborative 3D immersive virtual information management environment. We detail those elements that are seen to both improve and deteriorate user experience, and provide design guidance for researchers and designers. We designed the 3D virtual environment in the Virtual Collaboration Arena (VirCA) collaborative space specifically to study the collaborative information retrieval and management behaviors of users. We conducted 117 interviews and then analyzed the data using a qualitative content analysis to identify the main elements of user experience. While participants generally reacted positively to the environment, they also mentioned a few distracting usability problems. Applying the results in the further development of VirCA can create a higher level of user experience and more effective collaboration.