This PhD thesis looks at the meaning of website effectiveness and their influence on design decision-making. The research is focused within the context of designing by 16+ students and concerning sustainability. Design practice is explored within Advanced level General Certificate of Education (commonly referred to as AS/A2) Design and Technology, in order to define its particular characteristics. The study uses a theoretical position developed from the Assessment of Performance Unit s (APU) discussion document from 1982 as a framework to explore information retrieval within designing. The position of the study within designing and its place within research related to the use of knowledge, skills and values in designing is clarified. A literature review conducted conceived information retrieval as a characteristic of skill in the APU model. This study has established a consensus position on what is good practice in website development and design, and illustrates the structure of selected sustainable design websites, as well as assessing their navigation. The study indicates which types of information AS/A2 level student designers are seeking and how they use websites within their design work. The drivers behind sustainable design decision-making are identified. The understood consensus of sustainable development and sustainable design as an emerging area in designing is defined. The research is situated within the Sustainable Design Award (SDA) scheme that aimed to implement sustainable development into Design and Technology education and also outlines the content embodied in selected sustainable design websites. AS/A2 level Design and Technology education is used as the context for the main study. Action research was used to help develop the SDA website which was created as a primary assessment tool for the research study, concentrating on students aged 16 to 18. The usability of the selected websites was assessed by undergraduate designers from Loughborough University. A framework was developed and the effectiveness of the SDA website was measured before use, during use and after use . Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to gather data from the students such as questionnaires, folio assessments and interviews. The results indicate a prominence of website use and sustainable design within AS/A2 level design work, however sustainable design is taught as a separate entity and is not fully integrated into design practice. Sustainable design websites were accessed by half of the 72 students questioned, but only 28% had used the SDA website. The information that the student designers sought fell into two categories: specific information and inspiration, supporting Lofthouse (2001a). The use of these decreased dramatically as projects progressed in AS/A2 level and undergraduate level design education, this pattern was consistent in website use, sustainable design and sustainable design website use. Cluster analysis was carried out on the sustainable design websites with the informative cluster identified as representing the appropriate strategy for effective higher level website design. This cluster included characteristics such as comprehensive content information on sustainability, inspirational images and product examples. Appropriate approaches to the detailed design and development of the SDA website are reported. Future recommended work includes a focus on before use, to investigate the affects of increasing awareness of the website. Relating wider sustainability issues to AS/A2 Design and Technology education is discussed, investigating further the use of eco-design tools as the discussion highlights conflicting opinions. An expansion to the cluster analysis to help define further the four website cluster groups. The development of a website that correlates the emerging patterns of website, sustainable design and sustainable design website use, with work on value judgements completed by Trimingham (2007).

In this thesis we look into usability in the context of smartphone applications. We selected three research areas to investigate, namely Wireless Personal Area Networks, Context-awareness, and Remote Information Access. These areas are investigated through a series of experiments, which focuses on important aspects of usability within software applications. Additionally, we mainly use smartphone devices in the experiments. In experiment 1, Multi-Platform Bluetooth Remote Control, we investigated Wireless Personal Area Networks. Specifically, we implemented a system consisting of two clients, which were created for Java ME and Windows Mobile, and integrated with a server application installed on a Bluetooth-enabled laptop. For experiments 2 and 3, Context-aware Meeting Room and PainDroid: an Android Application for Pain Management, we looked closely at the research area of Contextawareness. The Context-aware Meeting Room was created to automatically send meeting participants useful meeting notes during presentations. In experiment 3, we investigated the use of on-device sensors for the Android platform, providing an additional input mechanism for a pain management application, where the accelerometer and magnetometer were used. Finally, the last research area we investigated was Remote Information Access, where we conducted experiment 4, Customised Android Home Screen. We created a system that integrated both a cloud-based server application and a mobile client running on the Android platform. We used the cloud-computing platform to provide context management features, such as the ability to store the user configuration that was automatically pushed to the mobile devices.

With housing in the UK responsible for over a quarter of all building related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the impact of occupant behaviour on such emissions. One area where occupant behaviour contributes largely towards emissions is space heating within domestic buildings. Despite technological improvements in the efficiency of heating systems, controls have become increasingly complex. Hence, there is a need to enable people to use their heating controls effectively in order to help reduce the associated CO2 emissions. This research found that significant numbers of people were excluded from using digital programmable thermostats, in particular people over 50 years old. The first study examined the scale of exclusion relating to digital programmable thermostats installed at a specific housing development. A second study explored in detail the reasons for exclusion from successfully programming a range of digital programmable thermostats. This was an in-depth usability study of heating controls that focused on the usability issues experienced by older people and was published in the Journal of Engineering Design. Based upon the outcomes of the first two studies a more inclusive heating control interface prototype was developed. The prototype demonstrated a reduction in both cognitive demands and associated user exclusion. Task success rates increased by 56.3% amongst older participants, and detailed energy modelling indicated that energy savings of 14.5-15.6% annually could be achievable. This work suggests that a more inclusive heating control interface could enable energy savings in the region of 15% through reducing the cognitive demands. Furthermore, this research challenges the existing paradigm and shows that inclusive design research may contribute to sustainable development in an environmental, as well as social, capacity.

The easy access to the Internet, computers and mobile devices brings new technological means of ability testing. The aim of this thesis is to investigate whether there is any difference in the results when an ability test of deductive reasoning is administered with two different platforms, computer and smartphone. In an experiment with within-subjects design the differences between platforms when it came to the level of the test score and usability were investigated. In addition, the test-retest reliability in the ability test was assessed. No significant differences between the scores from the platforms were observed. However, test-retest reliability was low and between r = .372 for smartphone and r = .526 for computer. The low reliability can explain why the score levels with different platforms could not be separated. The usability results indicate that the participants preferred to take the test with a computer, rather than with a smartphone, where even the most experienced users of smartphones disfavor test delivered on smartphone. It is recommended to replicate the experiment with more participants, and also with other handheld platforms, like tablet PC. / Den enkla tillgången till Internet, datorer och smarttelefoner innebär nya tekniska möjligheter till begåvningstestning. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka om det blir någon skillnad i resultat när ett begåvningstest för deduktiv förmåga utförs på två olika plattformar, dator och smarttelefon. I ett experiment med inompersonsdesign undersöktes skillnaderna mellan plattformarna när det gällde nivå hos testpoäng och användbarhet. Dessutom studerades begåvningstestets test-retest-reliabilitet. Inga signifikanta skillnader mellan testresultaten för det två plattformarna observerades. Test-retest-reliabiliteten var dock låg och varierade mellan r=.372 för smarttelefon och r=.526 för dator. Den låga reliabiliteten kan förklara varför poängnivåerna vid olika plattformar inte kunde skiljas åt. Gällande användbarheten indikerar resultatet att deltagarna föredrog att ta testet på dator framför smarttelefon, där även de mest mobilvana svarade till smarttelefonernas nackdel. Rekommendation för fortsatta studier är att replikera experimentet med större urval, samt att även testa med övriga handhållna datorer, som pekplattor.

An increasing number of technologies and applications have begun to focus on mobile computing and the wireless Web as a way to conduct commerce-oriented transactions. M-commerce Websites that are usability friendly must emphasize information quality, system quality, and service quality, as these are proxy measures to mobile commerce user satisfaction (MCUS). Measureable variables can help researchers to understand how satisfaction induces users to return to a Website. Although several studies on m-commerce user satisfaction focus on content quality, appearance, service quality, and ease of use, the results of these studies were inconclusive because they do not address contextual usability barriers for the mobile Web. The task context, which consist of two activities, search and transaction, is a prominent contextual factor that affects mobile usability positively or negatively in achieving MCUS. The researcher determined what end user expectations and actual usage beliefs result in disconfirmation or MCUS. An empirical field study of an online retailer and search platform was conducted using a sampling of 98 participants. The participants used a smartphone to search and complete a transaction in the participant's natural setting. The study results indicated that expectations and usability measures including efficiency, errors, and flexibility significantly influence actual usage leading to MCUS. The original Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT) model assumed that user's expectations could lead to actual usage. However, in the modified ECT model, it is the actual usage experience itself that determines MCUS. Disconfirmation is an inconsistent measure tied to actual usage, purchase intent, or satisfaction as mobile users often make purchases from m-commerce Websites because of convenience, flexibility, efficiency, and accessibility. If the user experiences an error during the search or transaction activity, such a drawback can cost a mobile Website future traffic, the loss of a transaction, and lead to lower levels of satisfaction.

For both the CAVETM and the adaptable technology possessed by the University of New Orleans, crystal eye glasses are used to produce a stereoscopic view, and an ascension flock of birds tracking system is employed for tracking of the user's head position and position of a wand in 3D space. It is argued that with these immersive technologies along the use of gestures and hand movements should provide a more natural interface with the immersive virtual environment. This allows a more rapid and efficient set of actions to recognize geometry, interaction with a spatial environment, the ability to find errors, or navigate through an environment. The wand interface is used to provide an improved means of interaction. This study quantitatively measures the differences in interaction when compared with traditional human computer interfaces. This work uses competitive usability in four different Benchmarks: 1) navigation, 2) error detection/correction, 3) spatial awareness, and 4) a “shopping list” of error identifications. This work expands on [Butler & Satter's, 2005] work by conducting tests in the CAVETM system, rather than principally employing workbench technology. During testing, the testers are given some time to “play around” with the CAVETM environment for familiarity before undertaking a specific exercise. The testers are then instructed regarding tasks to be completed, and are asked to work quickly without sacrificing accuracy. The research team timed each task, counted errors, and recorded activity on evaluation sheets for each Benchmark test. At the completion of the testing scenarios involving Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, or 4, the subjects were given a survey document and asked to respond by checking boxes to communicate their subjective opinions.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to observe how undergraduate students approach open-ended searching for a research assignment, specifically as it affected their use of the discovery interface Primo. Design/methodology/approach - In total, 30 undergraduate students were provided with a sample research assignment and instructed to find resources for it using web tools of their choice, followed by the Primo discovery tool. Students were observed for 30 minutes. A survey was provided at the end to solicit additional feedback. Sources students found were evaluated for relevance and utility. Findings - Students expressed a high level of satisfaction with Primo despite some difficulty navigating through more complicated tasks. Despite their interest in the tool and previous exposure to it, it was usually not the first discovery tool students used when given the research assignment. Students approached the open-ended search environment much like they would with a commercial search engine. Originality/value - This paper focused on an open-ended search environment as opposed to a known- item scenario in order to assess students' preferences for web search tools and how a library discovery layer such as Primo was a part of that situation. Evaluation of the resources students found relevant were also analyzed to determine to what degree the students understood the level of quality they exhibited and from which tool they were obtained.

Mid Sweden University staff has several different meetings around the year. Most meetings take place in Mid Sweden University's various campuses (Sundsvall and Östersund). In order for the staff to be able to participate in these meetings, rental-cars are rented from different rental companies. The rental cars are used to transport the staff between the university's campuses. The trips are mostly made by one or two people per car which can lead to unneces- sary extra costs. The goal of this project has been to provide a solution to this problem. The solution was in the form of a web application which the staff can use to register and join carpool trips. Since there are many carpool applications out there, the usability of the web application will be compared to the usability of a similar carpool application called GoMore to show if the developed appli- cation has any advantages in usability over similar applications. This was done by doing user-tests with 10 users followed by a questionnaire for each applica- tion. The usability metrics that were evaluated and compared for both applica- tions were the following: effectiveness, time based efficiency and the satisfac- tion of the user. The results showed a slightly better result in effectiveness and time based efficiency for the developed application. The results also showed a greater satisfaction for users who tested GoMore. Although the developed web application did not show a significant difference in usability over GoMore, the developed application is more specific for the university's problem and can be developed even further to suit the university's needs.

Skolverket har fått ett uppdrag från regeringen att digitalisera de nationella proven till år 2022. Dessutom så sker en stor del av undervisningen mer digitalt och det i sig medför att elever ska utveckla en god digital kompetens som de kan ha med sig i vidare studier och arbetsliv. Digitaliseringen har fått större genomslag i gymnasieskolan gentemot grundskolan och gymnasiet Älvkullen i Karlstad är en av de skolorna i Värmland som använder sig av olika digitala verktyg under sin undervisning. Problem kring de digitala verktygen har uppmärksammats men inget som vidare har utvärderats. Användartester genomförs för att utvärdera vad användarna upplever är problem med systemet, samt upptäcka om webbplatserna besitter några problem eller brister. Älvkullen i Karlstads kommun har två digitala verktyg för eleverna som de använder frekvent under sin studietid. Den ena är webbplatsen Itslearning, som är en lärplattform där elever kan komma åt undervisningsmaterial samt ladda upp sina egna arbeten och uppgifter. Den andra webbplatsen är DigiExam som är ett verktyg där eleverna kan utföra digitala prov. De problem som eleverna har uttryckt med dessa två verktyg har lett till att Karlstads kommun gymnasie- och vuxenutbildningsförvaltning utfärdat ett uppdrag där dessa två webbplatser ska utvärderas. Det som utvärderas är den upplevda användbarheten hos eleverna på Älvkullen i Karlstad. Användartester sker i form av att eleverna utför realistiska uppgifter på de båda webbplatserna som observeras och skärminspelas. Efter avslutat användartest får testpersonerna besvara en enkät om hur testet gick samt hur de upplever användbarheten på Itslearning och DigiExam. Resultaten visar främst problem med webbplatsen Itslearning kring otydlighet vid strukturen på information samt navigeringen för att hitta rätt till saker. Webbplatsen DigiExam upplevs inte ha några direkta svårigheter, dock används Itslearning mer omfattande på olika områden än vad DigiExam används. På grund av användningsområdena för de olika webbplatserna så utvärderas Itslearning i större utsträckning än DigiExam som beror på att webbplatsen Itslearning erbjuder fler funktioner och används på fler områden gentemot DigiExam som har sitt primärsyfte att agera verktyg vid digitala prov.

Smartphone usage is higher than ever and the number is steadily increasing, but not all websites on the Internet are adapted for use on smartphones. This study set out to find common and proven guidelines from the current scientific literature and create a guide on how to best adapt a desktop website to be optimized for use on smartphones. Areas of research were usability, readability and energy saving. A literature review of the body of data on the subject was reviewed and the result was put in a list of guidelines. The guidelines were used to compare the desktop version versus the smartphone version on 5 frequently visited websites.    The result was summarized with a score for each website and their respective solution for displaying components on small screens was noted. A prototype website was constructed in two versions: one responsive and one unresponsive. The prototype website’s different versions were then tested by a group of testers. The result of the tests concluded that the guidelines raised user satisfaction and readability. Sufficient energy saving metrics could not be extracted in the way design and usability was tested and had to be excluded from the testing.    The list of guidelines showed that there are solutions for solving readability, usability issues  and energy-saving issues on smartphones. The testing concluded that there was an increase in text readability and usability of the website when the guidelines were implemented. Further testing of energy saving must be conducted to test the validity of the remaining untested  guidelines.