Katarina Segerståhl

Identifying drivers and hindrances of social user experience in web services

Social activity is becoming a central contributor to user experience (UX) in many modern Web services. The motivations, norms and rules of online communities have been widely researched, however, social activity and its UX in modern Web services is a less studied area. We conducted a four-week-long field study with three Web services -- Facebook, Nokia Sports Tracker and Dopplr -- which all support social activity. The aim of this study was to identify the central drivers and hindrances of social UX, user experience of online social activity. Our results show that the main drivers of social UX include self-expression, reciprocity, learning and curiosity, whereas unsuitability of content and functionality, incompleteness of user networks and lack of trust and privacy are often experienced as hindrances for social UX. Our findings also reveal the pragmatic and hedonic nature of the drivers and hindrances. The results can be used to inform design and evaluation of social UX in Web services.

Distributed user experience in persuasive technology environments

An increasing number of persuasive technology systems consist of multiple devices that enable efficient just-in-time interaction with the user. Developing multi-device systems to support a human activity bring about new challenges for interaction and user experience design. The main challenge identified in this paper is the successful designing of coherent user experience, which may improve user acceptance and have a positive effect on the overall persuasiveness of the system. This paper analyses a multi-device heart-rate monitoring environment to illustrate the target of our research. We propose the notion of distributed user experience as a key concept for studying the design of efficient persuasive technology systems consisting of multiple devices.

Usability of interaction patterns

Interaction patterns are becoming an important method for bridging the gap between analysis and design in user-centered design. Recent studies, however, have indicated problems in their usability. Our overall research goal is to improve the usability of interaction patterns. In the first part of the research -- discussed in this paper -- we have empirically evaluated the usability of interaction patterns and outline proposals for improvements.

Pitfalls in persuasion: how do users experience persuasive techniques in a web service?

Persuasive technologies are designed by utilizing a variety of interactive techniques that are believed to promote target behaviors. This paper describes a field study in which the aim was to discover possible pitfalls of persuasion, i.e., situations in which persuasive techniques do not function as expected. The study investigated persuasive functionality of a web service targeting weight loss. A qualitative online questionnaire was distributed through the web service and a total of 291 responses were extracted for interpretative analysis. The Persuasive Systems Design model (PSD) was used for supporting systematic analysis of persuasive functionality. Pitfalls were identified through situations that evoked negative user experiences. The primary pitfalls discovered were associated with manual logging of eating and exercise behaviors, appropriateness of suggestions and source credibility issues related to social facilitation. These pitfalls, when recognized, can be addressed in design by applying functional and facilitative persuasive techniques in meaningful combinations.

Utilization of pervasive IT compromised?: understanding the adoption and use of a cross media system

Systems that are extended across multiple media, e.g., a mobile device and a desktop computer, are becoming increasingly popular. One reason for this is their ability to provide pervasive support for human activities across a range of contextual settings. Despite the value that these cross media systems offer, there are aspects that detract from their efficient utilization. This article reports the findings from an empirical case study exploring the adoption and use of a cross media fitness system. The systems general fit with the ways users carry out their activities is a central determinant of utilization. However, the adoption and use of a cross media system is also essentially influenced through the user experience process. This article describes distinct system characteristics that were found to influence coherent user experience. Based on these findings, we propose design responses that address a systemic out of box experience, crossmedial referencing and explication of a holistic system image. This study provides new insight into how users interact with and perceive cross media systems and identifies distinct focus areas for future research and design of heterogeneous and pervasive information technology.