Les moteurs de recherche exploratoire (MRE) sont des logiciels aidant les utilisateurs à explorer un domaine d’intérêt pour y faire des découvertes. Ces moteurs se distinguent en cela des moteurs de recherche classiques tels que Google, Bing ou Yahoo!, lesquels supportent plutôt des recherches ciblées ou recherches de consultation (lookup). Si l’on admet que l’évaluation des MRE vise à vérifier si ces derniers aident effectivement les utilisateurs à réaliser leur tâche d’exploration, on constate que les méthodes existantes d’évaluation de ces systèmes ne permettent pas réellement cette vérification. L’une des raisons à cela est que ces méthodes ne reposent pas sur un modèle approprié de la recherche exploratoire (RE) ou qu’elles restent accrochées à un modèle de la recherche de consultation. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est de proposer aux concepteurs de ces MRE des méthodes d’évaluation centrées utilisateurs reposant sur un modèle du processus de RE. Ainsi, après avoir modélisé le processus de RE, nous proposons deux méthodes d’évaluation qui peuvent être utilisées tout au long du processus de conception. La première méthode, une méthode d’inspection sans utilisateurs, peut être utilisée dès les premières maquettes, et repose sur des heuristiques de RE. Nous avons également proposé des outils facilitant l’utilisation de ces heuristiques : un formulaire en ligne ainsi qu’une extension Google Chrome appelée CheXplore. La seconde méthode, avec utilisateurs, peut être utilisée dès la première version d’un prototype fonctionnel. Cette méthode se présente comme une procédure de test utilisateur personnalisable. Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement à deux éléments de cette procédure : un protocole d’élaboration de tâches de RE et une grille d’analyse d’enregistrements vidéo de session de RE. La pertinence du modèle ainsi que les méthodes qui en découlent ont été évaluées à l’occasion de tests utilisateurs. Le modèle, les heuristiques et le protocole d’élaboration des tâches de RE ont été validés. Les premières évaluations de la grille d’analyse d’enregistrements vidéos ont révélé des points à améliorer. / Exploratory search systems are search engines that help users to explore a topic of interest. A shortcoming of current evaluation methods is that they cannot be used to determine if an exploratory search system can effectively help the user in performing exploratory search tasks. Indeed, the assessment cannot be the same between classic search systems (such as Google, Bing, Yahoo!...) and exploratory search systems. The complexity and the difficulty to have a consensus definition of the exploratory search concept and process are reflected in the difficulties to evaluate such systems. Indeed, they combine several specifics features and behaviors forming an alchemy difficult to evaluate. The main objective of this thesis is to propose for the designers of these systems (i.e. computer scientists) user-centered evaluation methods of exploratory search systems. These methods are based on a model of exploratory search process in order to help the evaluators to verify if a given system supports effectively the exploratory search process. Thus, after elaborating a model of exploratory search process, we propose two model-based methods, with and without users, which can be used all along the design process. The first method, without users, can be used from the first sketch of the system, consists of a set of heuristics of exploratory search and a procedure for using them. We also propose two tools facilitating their use: an online form format and an Google Chrome plugin, CheXplore. The second method involves real end-users of exploratory search systems who test a functional prototype or version of an exploratory search system. In this thesis, we mainly focus on two model-based elements of a customizable user testing procedure: a protocol for the elaboration of exploratory search tasks and a video analysis grid for the evaluation of recorded exploratory search sessions.

ABSTRACT Today there are lots of different health care computer systems in use. However, according to recent studies many of them lack necessary usability. Within Nordic pediatric cancer care, analogue treatment protocols on paper are currently used, as a complement to the digital medical records and prescription systems. In these protocols, doctors and nurses note information regarding the patient’s treatment. Comments and changes are noted in the margin, which sometimes leads to making the protocol messy and difficult to grasp. Since several people are involved in the handling of the treatment protocols it occasionally happens that the protocol disappears for periods of time. We had two aims with this project. The first was to examine and map requirements for a usable interactive treatment plan for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, ALL. The second was to investigate if our suggested combination of methods would be sufficient to acquire these requirements in a setting where the users, i.e. physicians, were time-­‐constrained.   Based on large variety of theories and methods from educational science and research in human computer interaction, we have conducted a qualitative study, iterating a combination of user-­‐centered design methods, with a revision of the requirements as well as the design following each iteration. The requirements analysis was performed in close collaboration with the doctors at the Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.   Our results indicate that by using a combination of methods from usability engineering and participatory design, a well-­‐defined list of requirements from the doctors could be identified which might be sufficient to develop an interactive prototype for a digital treatment protocol. In addition we found that our method enabled an exchange of knowledge between the designers and the users. In conclusion, these combined methods were suitable for enhancing the software designer’s understanding of the user needs in this time-­‐constrained environment.

I denna rapport presenteras en utvärdering av nuvarande utvärderingsmetoder vid Volvo CEs Serviceskola, som vidareutbildar tekniker. Data från observationer och intervjuer med fokus på konstruktiv länkning och kursutvärderingar analyseras. Det visade sig vara bristfällig konstruktiv länkning och att kursutvärderingarna inte ger tillräcklig information. Genom utveckling av den konstruktiva länkningen och användning av väl formulerade lärandemål bör teknikernas lärande kunna främjas. Även konstruktion av en kursvärdering med frågor som undersöker lärfaktorer bör bidra till utbildningens utveckling / In this report an evaluation of current evaluation methods at Volvo CE Service School, which further educates technicians, will be presented. Data from observation and interviews, focusing on constructive alignment and course evaluations is analyzed. It turned out to be inadequate constructive alignment and course evaluations do not provide sufficient information. Through the development of the constructive alignment and by using well-formulated learning outcomes the technicians learning should be enhanced. Also the design of the course evaluation with questions that examines learning factors should contribute to development of the training.

Detta examensarbete i samhällsbyggnadsteknik belyser hur framåtblickande utvärderingsmetoder kan bidra till mer välgrundade beslut i den översiktliga planeringsprocessen. Den nya komplexa verkligheten med tilltagande klimatförändringar och allt fler parametrar att väga in i beslutsprocessen ställer hårdare krav på oss planerare i uppgiften att leda samhällsutvecklingen i en hållbar riktning. Agenda 2030 och de nationella miljömålen ska vara vår vägvisare i hållbarhetsfrågan, men vi behöver klargöra och konkretisera hur vi väger in och hanterar dessa i våra ställningstaganden. I denna uppsats undersöks möjligheten till en mer tydlig och proaktiv planering genom att i tidigt skede tillämpa metoder för utvärdering. Föreliggande fallstudie analyserar och jämför utvärderingsmetoder utifrån flertalet kriterier där fokus ligger på hur väl de hanterar intressekonflikter kopplat till bebyggelseutveckling. Vidare analyseras tre kommunala översiktsplaner med syftet att ge en bild av hur arbetet bakom besluten ser ut i verkligheten. Av studien framkommer att arbete med utvärderingsmetodik i översiktsplaneringen idag är ett relativt outtalat arbetsmoment. Studien påvisar att de metoder som förespråkas ofta är för tidkrävande och tekniskt avancerade för att kunna tillämpas i planeringpraktiken. Av innehållsanalysen framgår att transparens tillsammans med omfattande planeringsunderlag ger väl motiverade beslut, vilket är gynnsamt för översiktsplanens vägledande funktion. Avslutningsvis uppmuntras vidare studier för att bemöta kommunernas behov av mer flexibla och flerdimensionella metoder anpassad för en långsiktigt hållbar samhällsplanering. / This essay in spatial planning sheds light on how forward-looking evaluation methods can contribute to more well-founded decisions in the comprehensive planning process. The new complex reality with increasing climate changes and more parameters to consider in decisionmaking, require stricter demands on us planners in the task of leading community development in a sustainable direction. Agenda 2030 and the national environmental goals must guide us regarding sustainability issues, but we need to clarify and concretize this in decision making. This study examines the possibility of more distinct and proactive planning by applying methods for evaluation at an early stage. The present case study analyzes and compares evaluation methods based on several criteria where the focus is on how well they handle conflicts of interest linked to building development. Furthermore, three municipal masterplans are analyzed with the aim of visualizing the work behind decisions in reality. The study indicates that work with evaluation methodology in general planning today is a relatively unspoken step in the process. It also points out that the methods that are advocated are often too time-consuming and technically advanced to be applied in planning practice. The content analysis shows that transparency, together with extensive planning documentation, provides well-motivated decisions, which is favorable for the general plan's guiding function. Finally, further studies are encouraged to meet the municipalities' need for more flexible and multidimensional methods adapted for long-term sustainable community planning.

During the last years a new trend has been recognized where real estate owners and institutesissue social bonds in the bond exchange market in Sweden. This together with the stronggrowth of green bonds gives the issuer better opportunities to develop sustainable projects.This study examinate the practical application of social bonds in the real estate sector. Thecriteria used in social projects vary by issuer, and one example is provided by the Swedishissuer Kommuninvest, where their main requirements to be qualified as a social project aresocial issues regarding 1. housing and living environment, 2. safety and availability 3. sports,education, culture and health. Kommuninvest is using a secondary opinion to ensuretrustworthiness of the bonds. However, the goals of the projects for actors issuing socialbonds can to some extent be unclear and especially hard to evaluate. A better measurability ofsocial bonds would make it easier for actors in the market to clarify the potential of theprojects and increase the interest for social bonds from investors. The findings of this studyshows that criteria, motivations and practice of social bonds differs between actors in themarket, and that the differences are particularly pronounced between investors and issuers.The study also shows that there is currently limited development of a common social bondframework, although a social taxonomy is underway. According to the findings, the maincornerstone for issuing social bonds in Sweden is the Social Bond Principles produced byICMA. In addition, the Sustainable Development goals by the United Nations are commongoals the actors connect their social projects to. Instead of using theoretical methods forevaluation of social projects, actors use different statistics such as crime rate, safety level andrelocation statistics. According to the actors interviewed, the social bond market is still newand will go through changes in policies and standards in the upcoming years. / Under de senaste åren har en ny trend uppmärksammats där fastighetsägare och institut ger utsociala obligationer på obligationsmarknaden i Sverige. Detta tillsammans med den storatillväxten av gröna obligationer ger emittenten bättre möjligheter att utveckla hållbaraprojekt. Denna studie undersöker den praktiska tillämpningen av sociala obligationer ifastighetssektorn. Kriterierna för att ett projekt ska kvalificeras som ett socialt projektvarierar för olika emittenter, och ett exempel är den svenska emittenten Kommuninvest, därderas främsta krav för att kvalificeras som ett socialt projekt är sociala frågor kring 1. boendeoch boendemiljö, 2. trygghet och tillgänglighet 3. idrott, utbildning, kultur och hälsa.Kommuninvest använder ett andrahandsutlåtande för att säkerställa obligationernastrovärdighet. Målen för projekten kopplade till sociala obligationer kan dock till viss del varaoklara och särskilt svåra att utvärdera. En bättre mätbarhet av sociala obligationer skulle göradet lättare för aktörer på marknaden att tydliggöra projektets potential och även öka intressetför sociala obligationer från investerare. Resultaten av denna studie visar att kriterier, motivoch praxis för sociala obligationer skiljer sig åt mellan aktörer på marknaden, och attskillnaderna är särskilt uttalade mellan investerare och emittenter. Studien visar också att detför närvarande är begränsad utveckling av ett gemensamt ramverk för sociala bindningar,även om en social taxonomi är på gång. Den huvudsakliga grundstenen för att emitterasociala obligationer i Sverige är “The Social Bond Principles” som tagits fram av ICMA.Dessutom är FN:s globala mål för hållbar utveckling något som aktörerna kopplar sinasociala projekt till. Användning av teoretiska metoder i praktiken för att utvärdera socialaprojekt är sällsynt bland aktörerna. I stället använder aktörerna statistik i form av exempelvisbrottslighet, säkerhet och flyttfrekvens för att utvärdera sociala projekt. Enligt de intervjuadeaktörerna är marknaden för sociala obligationer fortfarande ny och kommer att gå igenomförändringar vad gäller policyer och standarder under de kommande åren.

Despite widespread use of web-based e-learning applications, insufficient attention is paid to their usability. There is a need to conduct evaluation using one or more of the various usability evaluation methods. Given that heuristic evaluation is known to be easy to use and cost effective, this study investigates the extent to which it can identify usability problems in a web-based e-learning application at a tertiary institution. In a comparative case study, heuristic evaluation by experts and survey evaluation among end users (learners) are conducted and the results of the two compared. Following literature studies in e-learning - particularly web-based learning - and usability, the researcher generates an extensive set of criteria/heuristics and uses it in the two evaluations. The object of evaluation is a website for a 3rd year Information Systems course. The findings indicate a high correspondence between the results of the two evaluations, demonstrating that heuristic evaluation is an appropriate, effective and sufficient usability evaluation method, as well as relatively easy to conduct. It identified a high percentage of usability problems. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

The main purpose of this research is to establish whether ICT models as implemented in distance education do help to render desirable results (increment in throughput, meeting clientele expectations, and reduction in learner drop-outs). If it is not the case, what could be done to overcome the established hindrance? The researcher employed programme evaluation (PE) which integrates both the positivistic and phenomenological aspects of research. The samples were drawn from the population group through probability and non-probability techniques. Different research strategies within PE such as discovery, inspection and auditing were at first employed to gauge the physical presence of what is being achieved by Unisa through use of myUnisa & DVC; followed by the use of the surveys (personal interviews, administered questionnaires, focus group interviews). The ultimate outcomes of the said research activities are audiovisual recordings, statistically analysed transcripts and questionnaire data. The researcher employed the following key questions in grappling with issues in this area; their findings are also given: i. Does the application of ICTs facilitate and enhance flexible learning at Unisa? With reference to flexible delivery as it relates to aspect of teaching and learning in Engineering, it has been established that minimal use is made of ICTs. Are the technologies correctly applied for teaching and learning? Based on the evidence of research findings it has been established that technology application is mainly used for administrative support rather than for teaching and learning. iii. Do the instructional design and technological applications meet the needs of their users? As matters stand, the study suggests that users' expectations through rating their perceptions and attitudes (academics, tutors, instructional designers, multimedia developers and learners), are far from being met (as all the critical parts of the models are not yet in place regarding the Engineering and other departments). According to the main finding, while there is some evidence of efforts aimed at proper implementation, underutilisation of the ICTs appears to be the main problem, as established at Unisa and elsewhere. The research is concluded through a number of recommendations based on the established findings. / Educational Studies / (D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies))

The use of interactive e-learning tutorials is an effective form of teaching and learning. It is therefore important that attention is paid to their usability. This research relates to the evaluation of a CD-based e-learning tutorial for learning Business English, with the aims of investigating its usability and identifying problems. Particular attention is paid to aspects that hinder the learner from achieving the learning objectives. The study uses two usability evaluation methods (UEMs), namely controlled usability testing in an HCI laboratory and a user questionnaire survey. The main aim of the study is to compare the findings and determine the impact of using two methods in combination. The first outcome of the research was a synthesized framework of evaluation criteria that was applied in the two UEMs. Secondly, findings of the evaluations indicated that two UEMs identified similar problems, thus confirming their reliability in usability evaluation. Another finding was instances where one method produced results not obtained by the other, which shows the complementary value of two different UEMs. A third benefit of the study was that it identified usability problems in the target system. / Information Systems / MA (Information Systems)

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:‘n Kwalitatiewe evaluasie van die faktore wat werknemer verbintenis in die uitvoering van ‘n werksbestuur besigheidsproses beinvloed, word aangebied. Die nodigheid van werknemer verbintenis en besigheidsprosesse in organisasies word beskryf. ‘n Vergelyk tussen die beginsels van werknemer verbintenis en die werksbestuur proses word gedoen. Deur middel van statistiese evaluasie tegnieke (frekwensie evaluasie) dra hierdie navorsing by tot die bestaande kennis in hierdie domein deur die identifisering van faktore wat bydra tot die onttrekking van werknemers van die werksbestuur proses en gevolglik die organisasie verlaat. Resultate bevestig dat die werksbestuur proses die verbintenis van werknemers tot die werksbestuur proses fasiliteer, veral vir werknemers wat onlangs die arbeidsmark betree. Persoonlike groei en loopbaan ontwikkeling word egter nie ten volle ondersteun in die uitvoering van die werksbestuur proses nie. Aanbevelings word gemaak ter ondersteuning van die implementering van ‘n volhoubare werksbestuur proses. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Presents a qualitative evaluation of the factors that influence employee engagement from the perspective of implementing and sustaining a work management business process. Describes the intent of employee engagement and business processes in organizations. Compare the principles of employee engagement and the work management business process. By applying statistical evaluation methods (frequency analyses) this research adds to the existing body of knowledge in this field by identifying factors that lead to disengagement of employees in the execution of work management business processes and subsequent loss of skills. Analysis indicates that the business process facilitates engagement of employees in work management at the start of their careers, however career development and personal growth for experienced employees are lacking in the execution of work management. Concludes with recommendation for sustaining employee engagement in work management.

The thesis describes the course and results of the research into the field of Harm Reduction (HR) through the internet websites in the Czech language. Nowadays the internet forms an inseparable part of most people's lives from all social classes. This fact is reflected in the interests of both service providers for drug users and laymen interested in drug issues. Unfortunately, according to current research we do not know much about what information and in which quality and range can people find about drug Harm reduction on the internet. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to identify and evaluate internet websites in the field of harm reduction intervention focused on the users of illegal drugs in the Czech Republic. Internet websites were evaluated not only with respect to the contents and range of the information provided but also with respect to topicality, functionality and objectivity. What was found were 13 Czech complex websites, 7 professional HR organisations and also 6 non-professional HR websites. The websites of professional organisations in most cases fulfilled the essential criteria of authority, objectivity and topicality. Among non-professional websites there were high-quality ones containing a wide range of information and correct approach to drug issues but there were also two...