In software visualization, but also in information visualization in general, there is a great need for evaluation of visualization metaphors. To reduce the amount of empirical studies a omputational approach has been applied successfully, e.g., to graph visualization. It is based on measurable aesthetic heuristics that are used to estimate the human perception and the processing of visualizations. This paper lays a foundation for adopting this approach to any field of information visualization by providing a method, the repertory grid technique, to identify aesthetics that are measurable, metaphor-specific, and relevant to the user in a structured and repeatable way. We identified 25 unique aesthetics and revealed that the visual appearance of the investigated visualizations is mainly influenced by the package structure whereby methods are underrepresented. These findings were used to improve existing visualizations.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka möjligheterna att använda intervjutekniken Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) som utvärderingsteknik för att utvärdera User Experience (UX) på distans. Detta gjordes genom att de föreställningar som en handledarstödd utvärdering resulterade i jämfördes med det resultat som uppnåddes genom en webbaserad variant av samma utvärdering. Studiens resultat visade på en svårighet för respondenterna i den webbaserade utvärderingen att formulera föreställningar som går att använda för analys av en produkts UX. Diskussionen pekar på en tänkbar lösning i form av förstudier som utförs med en mindre grupp av respondenter för att på detta sätt hjälpa utvärderarna att skapa sig en referensram att använda vid tolkningen av de föreställningar som sedan kan samlas in under en webbaserad utvärdering. Studien syftade även till att jämföra vilka aspekter kopplade till UX som utvärderingarna genererade, samtliga av dessa kopplades till subjektiva eller produktrelaterade aspekter.

Within user modeling there are various methods for representing targeted users. Persona for example is a user archetype which is given a face and name, and is carefully described in terms of goals, needs, and tasks (Blomquist & Arvola, 2002). Personas are widely used, but have been criticized for often not being based on empirical data (McGinn & Kotamraju, 2008). In this thesis I explore the use of the Repertory grid technique (RGT) in a user modeling context, an approach deriving from George Kelly’s (1955) Personal construct theory, which elicits both idiographic (i.e. the subjective dimensions of one individual) and nomothetic (i.e. a populations behaviours and traits) empirical data from individuals by analysing both qualitative and quantitative data. Furthermore, the possibilities and difficulties that the RGT offers in the context of user modeling are investigated. An online survey is crowdsourced (n = 28) containing five vignettes which are based on structured interviews and are used to elicit the participant’s personal constructs. The results are presented in the form of bertin plots and a biplot along with the Importance (the order of a constructs elicitation), and Dominance (the relative elicitation percentage of a construct) measures. The results suggest that the technique employed could be used in a number of user modelling processes. The weaknesses of RGT when done remotely in a user modelling context are also discussed.

The aim of this thesis is to compare two different interface approaches for pervasive gameswith a focus on immersion. We designed and created two small pervasive games and implemented bothon two different platforms; smartphone and wearable device. We created four pervasive gameprototypes which we tested with a group of fourteen testers. We subsequently conducted interviewsusing the Repertory Grid Technique. The findings suggest that our testers appreciated wearable devicesmore than smartphones in the context of immersion, while they identified characteristics theyassociated with each platform; Smartphones were considered familiar, inconspicuous, casual but notvery exciting. Wearables were considered a new experience and fun but also strange and attention-drawing.

In software visualization, but also in information visualization in general, there is a great need for evaluation of visualization metaphors. To reduce the amount of empirical studies a omputational approach has been applied successfully, e.g., to graph visualization. It is based on measurable aesthetic heuristics that are used to estimate the human perception and the processing of visualizations. This paper lays a foundation for adopting this approach to any field of information visualization by providing a method, the repertory grid technique, to identify aesthetics that are measurable, metaphor-specific, and relevant to the user in a structured and repeatable way. We identified 25 unique aesthetics and revealed that the visual appearance of the investigated visualizations is mainly influenced by the package structure whereby methods are underrepresented. These findings were used to improve existing visualizations.

The increasing number of travelers in urban areas has led to new opportunities for local government and private mobility providers to offer new travel modes besides and in addition to traditional ones. Multimodal travel provides an especially promising opportunity. However, until now the underlying reasons why consumers choose specific alternatives have not been fully understood. Hence, the design of new travel modes is mainly driven by obvious criteria such as environmental friendliness and convenience but might not consider consumers’ real or latent needs. To close this research gap, sixty in-depth interviews with urban travelers were conducted. To identify the perceptual differences of customers among different travel modes, the repertory grid technique as an innovative, structured interview method was applied. Our data show that urban travelers distinguish and select travel alternatives based on 28 perceptual determinants. While some determinants associated with private cars such as privacy, flexibility and autonomy are key indicators of travel mode choice, costs and time efficiency also play a major role. Furthermore, by comparing travel modes to an ideal category, we reveal that some perceptual determinants do not need to be maximized in order to fulfill customer needs optimally. A comparison of consumers’ perceptual assessments of alternative travel modes identifies specific advantages and disadvantages of all alternatives, and provides fruitful implications for government and private mobility providers.

Landau, Univ., Abt. Landau, Diss.--Koblenz, 2002. / Literaturverz. S. XV - XXXVIII.

The aim of this research was to develop a competency model for auditors by identifying those characteristics and behaviours that predict success as an auditor. The Work Profiling System (WPS), the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were the tools and techniques used to achieve this aim. This research was conducted in two groups: trainee accountants (year 1- 3) and chartered accountants (year 4-5+). The results of the research, which was conducted within one of the Big 5 auditing firms, indicated that the competencies required of a trainee accountant are largely consistent with those of registered chartered accountants, working in the same environment. The most noticeable difference was the change in focus from cognitive or technical skills during the earty years to a focus on managerial competencies in later years. The competencies identified in this research compare well with reported models in literature. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

The aim of this research was to develop a competency model for auditors by identifying those characteristics and behaviours that predict success as an auditor. The Work Profiling System (WPS), the Repertory Grid Technique (RGT) and the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were the tools and techniques used to achieve this aim. This research was conducted in two groups: trainee accountants (year 1- 3) and chartered accountants (year 4-5+). The results of the research, which was conducted within one of the Big 5 auditing firms, indicated that the competencies required of a trainee accountant are largely consistent with those of registered chartered accountants, working in the same environment. The most noticeable difference was the change in focus from cognitive or technical skills during the earty years to a focus on managerial competencies in later years. The competencies identified in this research compare well with reported models in literature. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Leadership is a problematic topic at universities and it is therefore difficult to isolate a leadership theory that is applicable to Heads of Department (HODs). The manner in which HODs construe their leadership roles is the focus of this research project and the study is conducted from a constructivist perspective The university context in which HODs lead is explored in the literature overview. Definitions of leadership, general leadership theories and leadership issues in academe are investigated. The research findings are integrated into a leadership model for HODs, consisting of constructs (leadership behaviours, actions and values) and elements (leadership situations). The following contributions are made by the study: * The variety roles an HOD has to fulfil is confirmed by the study. However, this study indicates that leadership is interwoven with everything an HOD undertakes. * HODs construct their roles uniquely, but in general terms most HODs consider academic and scholarly work (own and that of the department) as part of the leadership role they fulfil. Leadership at HOD level at university incorporates both managerial and leadership ideas. * HODs consider their leadership environment to have qualities of the following known university environments: collegial, enterprise, bureaucratic and corporate. * This study identifies eight leadership themes with reference to the leadership role of an HOD at university; providing academic guidance, being a figurehead, determining the strategy and positioning the department, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, being a change agent, being a general manager, and being involved in student and staff relations. The following leadership themes can be added to the current body of literature: being a figurehead, own scholarly profile, as well as being involved in staff and student relations. Leadership at academic departments is at the heart of everything in which an HOD is involved. Leadership is thus becoming indispensable at academic departments at university. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology) / D. Com. (Consulting Psychology)