Lajos Izsó

Discrimination between design errors and user errors by binomial test

In laboratory usability studies, error collecting and analysis are frequently used methods of software evaluation and usually are capable of revealing the most conspicuous design deficiencies, if there are any. In certain cases, however, it is hard if not impossible to distinguish accidental user errors from systematic errors attributable to design failures without a careful statistical hypothesis testing. An appropriate, additional statistical analysis of the distribution of observed errors along the steps of the standard tasks could add further useful information to the obvious results of the study. For this purpose a simple binomial model is proposed, which proved to be applicable in a case study: by the help of this model it was possible to discover some further design failures in addition to the already obvious ones.

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.

Fundamentals of the model behind the COSMOS methodology used for team assessment in simulator training

Team working is the basic way of working in the control rooms of hazardous technologies and therefore its quality is a safety-relevant issue. In addition to the technological competence it is also crucial for the crews to have the necessary communicational skills. During simulator training these skills can only be improved if the simulator use is embedded in an appropriate setting. To support this skill acquisition a computer-supported methodology called COSMOS (COmputer Supported Method for Operators’ Self-assessment) has been developed. With its help more effective communication and more complete shared mental models can be fostered. This paper is a report on the psychological fundamentals and the mathematical model of the COSMOS methodology.

Lighting as Support for Enhancing Well-Being, Health and Mental Fitness of an Ageing Population - The FP6 EU Funded ALADIN Project

The paper presents the ALADIN prototype for adaptive lighting control designed to assist elderly in achieving a state of well-being, developed as a FP6 EU funded project. It uses psycho-physiological features extracted from Electro-Dermal Activity (EDA) and Pulse signals to determine the subjects mental state and adapts the lighting parameters in order to achieve a certain desired state. One of the controller implementations was done using Simulated Annealing. Field test evaluations of this implementation are discussed.