This study explored how the UI of booking sunbeds could be designed to be efficient and effective while being satisfactory to use for novice admin users of the system. Personas were created through a workshop that together with visual heuristics helped drive the design of an initial paper prototype that was evaluated with users. Iterating the design of the paper prototype, a hi-fi prototype was created using Adobe XD. The hi-fi prototype was evaluated using a task-based usability test with seven participants who provided quantitative data of time spent per task and number of clicks required, and qualitative data through a SUS questionnaire along with semi-structured interviews. The prototype was effective and efficient while scoring a high 90 points on the SUS scale. Qualitative data from the participants indicated that the inclusion of transitions and transformation in the UI helped create a playful experience and a system that was perceived to be easy to learn and use. The results and data of evaluating the prototype can help future designers of systems account for transitions and transformations earlier in the design process that could improve the overall usability for novice users in general. / Den här studien utforskade hur ett gränssnitt för ett bokningssystem kunde designas för att vara effektivt och ändamålsenligt samtidigt som användargruppen av administrativa förstagångsanvändare uppfattar systemet som tillfredsställande. En workshop hölls för att skapa personas, vilket tillsammans med visuella heuristiker drev designen av en första pappersprototyp som utvärderades med användare. Med feedback från pappersprototypen skapades en digitalt interaktiv prototyp som utvärderades baserat på kvantitativa data från hur användare klarade av att utföra uppgifter, samt kvalitativa data från semistrukturerade intervjuer och användbarhetsenkäten SUS (System Usability Scale). Prototypen var effektiv och ändamålsenlig och fick 90 poäng enligt SUS-skalan. Den kvalitativa data indikerade att inkluderingen av övergångar och transformeringar i gränssnittet skapade en lekfull upplevelse och gjorde att systemet ansågs vara enkelt att använda. Studiens insamlade data och resultat kan hjälpa framtida designers av system ta hänsyn till övergångar och transformationer tidigt i designprocessen för att öka den generella användbarheten för förstagångsanvändare

Background: Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a critical IT securityframework for managing digital identities and resource access. With roots datingback to ancient civilizations, IAM has evolved from basic authentication to sophisticated methods. Okta, a leading cloud-based IAM platform founded in 2009, excelsin identity management, authentication, and access control. It is recognized for itscommitment to security and adaptability to cybersecurity challenges. As of October2023, Okta maintains its prominent position in the IAM market, acknowledged byGartner’s Magic Quadrant for Access Management, worldwide. Objectives: The objective of this thesis is to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis of security services, specifically focusing on their integration with IAMsolutions. This investigation seeks to provide an examination of security serviceslike Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Single Sign On (SSO) and evaluate theireffectiveness in conjunction with IAM. By doing so, we aim to determine which security approach offers the most robust protection in our digitally interconnected world. Methods: The primary goal of this methodology is to create a robust, secure,and user-friendly authentication and access management system using Okta withinan IAM framework. This involves the integration of both MFA and SSO features.To kickstart the process, we establish a controlled environment that mirrors thereal-world scenarios. Okta is chosen as the IAM tool, and its deployment involvesmanaging user identities, controlling access, and handling authentication. Results: The result of the study on the comparative analysis of security servicesusing IAM reveals distinct differences in the effectiveness and features among securityservices. Key findings highlight variations in authentication methods, authorizationmechanisms, and overall security robustness. This comprehensive examination provides valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different IAM-basedsecurity services, offering a foundation for informed decision-making in selecting themost suitable solution for specific organizational needs. Conclusions: This thesis conclusively demonstrates the efficacy of integrating SSOand MFA into IAM. The incorporation of Biometric Authentication and Time basedOne Time-Password (TOTP) in MFA garnered strong user preference. SSO implementation streamlined authentication, reducing steps and enhancing ease of use.The overwhelmingly positive user feedback and robust security measures validateSSO+MFA as a valuable contribution to IAM, ensuring data security and user confidence.

The implementation of game elements has quintessentially uplifted the overall experience of applications in various domains and thereby expanding the customer base. This process is called gamification which has now been introduced in many domains. The purpose of the study is to understand gamification and how its impact would be if it is deployed in a financial savings application. The gamified elements are implemented based on a gamification framework called the Octalysis framework1. This Octalysis framework is a human-centric gamification framework which serves as a template to implement the required gamified elements. Based on a pre-study of financial applications and the Octalysis framework, two distinct prototypes (Version A and Version B) of the same mobile app concept were developed where the difference is the presence of gamified elements in one prototype. The evaluation is based on analyzing the impact the gamified elements have caused on the usability and the emotional engagement of the financial savings application. The participants are provided to interact with both prototypes and interviews are conducted to evaluate the emotional engagement and the usability of both the prototypes of the financial savings application. The study shows an increase in emotional engagement corresponding to the gamified elements whereas the usability more or less remained the same, indicating a deeper investigation of the gamified elements with regards to usability is required.

<p>Chronic low back pain is the second most prevalent chronic condition in Canadian primary care settings. The treatment and diagnosis of chronic pain is challenging for primary care clinicians. Their main challenges are lack of knowledge and their approach toward assessing and treating pain. Evidence based guidelines have been developed for neuropathic pain and low back pain.</p> <p>CDSSs for chronic diseases are becoming popular in primary care settings as a mean to implement CPGs. A CDSS prototype for diagnosis and treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain in primary care was developed at McMaster University. It is evident that poor usability can hinder the uptake of health information technologies.</p> <p>The objective of this study was to test the usability of Pain Assistant using think aloud protocols with SUS scores in 2 iterations. In this study 13 primary care providers including family physicians, nurse practitioners and residents used Pain Assistant to complete 3 different patient case scenarios. Participants were asked to comment on both barriers and facilitators of usability of Pain Assistant. Additionally time to complete patient case scenarios was calculated for each participant. A comparison questionnaire gathered user preference between introducing CPGs in paper format and computerized decision support system.</p> <p>This study showed that iterative usability testing of the Pain Assistant with participation of real-end users has the potential to uncover usability issues of the Pain Assistant. Problems of user interface were the main usability barrier in first testing iteration following by problems of content. Changes were made to system design for second round based on the issues came up in the first iteration. However, because of time constrains not all the changes were implemented for second round of testing. Most of the refinements were to resolve user interface issues. In the second iteration, the problems with the content of Pain Assistant were the major barrier. The changes to the system design were successful in resolving user interface problems since the changed issues did not come up again in second round. Pain Assistant had an above the average usability score however no significant changes seen in SUS score. The time needed to complete tasks remained identical in both iterations. In addition, participants preferred to have CPGs in electronic formats than paper. Further study after implementing all the system changes needed to determine the effectiveness of system refinements.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

This diploma thesis discusses a modern concept of information retrieval and search engines for libraries and other academic institutions. The concept named "web scale discovery" comprises of search engines, whose main characteristics lie in simplicity and user friendliness for the end users while maintaining all functional qualities of traditional research databases. Users can search in a wide variety of international research databases, and also in local sources of an institution that are combined within a large central index. The theoretical section presents definitions of web scale discovery, which conceptually set the new method of information retrieval within the field of information and library science. A graphic scheme of the basic functionality of a web scale discovery system is presented. Also discussed are requirements for a modern discovery system, an overview of the current situation in the Czech Republic, and a short characteristic of commercially available discovery systems. The theoretical part concludes with a literature review of selected foreign research, studying user satisfaction with the new solution, the impact on electronic and print resources in libraries, and usability testing. The practical part presents an original research study - usability testing of EBSCO Discovery...

In the era of digital transformation, the need for more efficient self-service technologies has increased, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of reducing physical interactions. Although there is some research on self-service technologies, there is a lack of research on the usability of internal self-service portals which are used within organizations. This study aims to address this gap by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the design principles within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) field to examine the usability of a self-service portal in a university in Sweden. The study adopts a mixed-method approach, incorporating data collection techniques such as cognitive walkthrough and semi-structured interviews for qualitative data, as well as System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire, and some other quantitative measurements for collecting data. Findings from the quantitative analysis through the System Usability Scale (SUS) results indicate a good to borderline OK design, with user satisfaction affected by the number of clicks and time required to complete tasks.  Findings from the qualitative analysis reveal important factors influencing user experience, including user perception of the portal's design, learnability, impact of access to multiple systems, influence of easy-to-reach IT assistance, impact of insufficient information and guidance, lack of awareness, user desires, and suggestions for the design. The study concludes with the development of design guidelines based on the identified themes, aiming to enhance the usability of the self-service portal. These findings contribute to the understanding of self-service portals' usability within organizational contexts and provide actionable recommendations for improving the design and the user experience.