This thesis describes a research study to understand the current state of human trafficking data collection practices and reporting in the province of Alberta, Canada, and gather end-user design considerations for cyberinfrastructure that will enable data sharing between multiple and diverse stakeholders. The research also examines the barriers to change and the needs of stakeholders to improve the collective understanding of human trafficking in the province. Virtual semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen organizations including law enforcement and community serving non-profit agencies. While the research resulted in design considerations for a cyberinfrastructure prototype, findings revealed the complexity of the human trafficking ecosystem in Alberta and suggestions for how the community of stakeholders can shift towards a sustained collaborative data sharing culture. This study responds to the need to collect actionable data from multiple sources to reflect the prevalence and context of human trafficking more accurately.

Studien undersöker hur man med virkningen kan göra det möjligt för användaren att agera somprosument, samtidigt som de kan personalisera en produkt som bidrar till emotionell hållbarhet.Anledningen var för att öka det emotionella värdet i produkten vilket leder till en längre livscykel. Teoriernasom lade grund för projektet är design för emotionell hållbarhet, design för personalisering, samtprosumtion. Vidare användes användarcentrerade metoder för att skapa stor förståelse för användarensbehov och önskemål. Intervjuer och enkäter samlade in grundinformation, medan återkopplingoch användartester med användaren gav en djup förståelse av deras behov inom det specifikaforskningsområdet. Designmetoder som skiss, prototyper, experiment, urvalsmetoder, samt produktresaformade slutkonceptet och resultatet av studien. Detta var ett avlastningsbord där användaren agerarsom prosument genom att virka två av hyllplanen samtidigt som de ytbehandlar träkonstruktionen själva.Det gör det möjligt att personalisera produkten, vilket leder till emotionell hållbarhet. I diskussionen tasdet slutligen upp förslag på vidareutveckling som lyfter vikten av användarcentrerade metoder för enlyckad emotionellt hållbar produkt. / The study explores how crochet can enable users to act as prosumers while also personalizing a productthat contributes to emotional sustainability. The reason for this is to increase the emotional value of theproduct, which leads to a longer life cycle. The theories that formed the basis of the project are designfor emotional sustainability, design for personalization, and prosumption. User-centred methods werefurther used to create a deep understanding of user needs and desires. Interviews and surveys gatheredbasic information, while feedback and user testing provided a deeper understanding of their needswithin the specific research area. Design methods such as sketching, prototypes, experiments, selectionmethods, and product journeys shaped the final concept and outcome of the study. This was a side tablewhere the user acts as a prosumer by crocheting two of the shelves while also finishing the woodenconstruction themselves. This enables personalization of the product, leading to emotional sustainability.The discussion finally presents suggestions for further development that emphasize the importance ofuser-centred methods for a successful emotionally sustainable product.

Libraries are important centres for knowledge, research, history, and much more. In libraries, students can invest in their own future and connect with other peers. However, a void of an online platform where students in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) can reserve books, track their loans and utilise different service offerings, has been identified. To fill this void, a proposal called EECS Library System (EECSLS) was expressed. The system would include a database that stored books, student details, and other data, whilst it also handled transactions for reservations. Following the study of different approaches to implement an applicable Graphical User Interface, EECS Library Website was established. It was accomplished by evaluating theory of usability, design principles and key concepts of developing user-centered websites. Similarly, data collection through interviews, and participant observation during user testing, were approaches to gain insight and understand the target audiences. EECSLS was then designed and developed in an iterative process consisting of three prototypes, each of which gradually improved. The findings of the literature review indicate that usability is essential for the prosperity of a library website. In addition, to facilitate navigation and access to content on library websites, it was concluded that user-centred designs are crucial. In summary, understanding the target audiences and their needs before applying suitable design principles ultimately led to enhancing the user experience on the EECS Library Website. More importantly, the thesis reveals promising opportunities available to the library in EECS. / Bibliotek har länge varit - och är än idag - en viktig grundsten för kunskap, forskning, historia, och mycket mer. Där kan studenter investera i deras egna framtid, men även knyta värdefulla kontakter. Det har dock identifierats en saknad plattform online där studenter i Skolan för elektroteknik och datavetenskap (EECS) kan reserverera böcker, spåra sina lån och ta del av olika tjänsteerbjudanden. Ett förslag kallad EECS Library System (EECSLS) har uttryckts för att fylla detta gap. Systemet inkluderar en databas som lagrar böcker, information om studenter, medan den även hanterar transaktioner för reservationer. Efter att ha följt olika metoder för implementering av en medföljande grafiskt användargränssnitt, kunde EECS Library Website etableras. Det kunde åstadkommas genom att utvärdera teori av användbarhet, designprinciper och nödvändiga koncept för att utveckla användarcentererade hemsidor. Datainsamling med hjälp av intervjuer, och deltagandeobservation under användartestning, var på liknande vis metoder för att få insikt och förståelse på målgrupperna. EECSLS designades och utvecklades i en iterativ process bestående av tre prototyper som var och en förbättrades gradvis. Resultaten av litteraturgranskningen indikerar på att användbarhet är väsentlig för en framgångsrik bibliotekshemsida. Därtill kunde det dras en slutsats om hur användarcentrerade designer är avgörande för att underlätta navigering och åtkomst till innehåll på biblioteketshemsidor. Att förstå målgrupperna och deras behov innan man tillämpar lämpliga designprinciper bevisade i slutändan en förbättrad användarupplevelse på EECS Library Website. Avhandlingen avslöjar lovande möjligheter som är tillgängliga för biblioteket i EECS.

Heat is an essential aspect of personal comfort. However, designing for heat as a comfort material is difficult due to the subjective nature of materials in combination with differing human perceptions and preferences. This paper presents the results of an explorative design project, where a heat kit consisting of three design probes was developed through self-exploration and participatory design with five participants. Field studies with this heat kit enabled the participants to interact with heat as a comfort material in their day-to-day lives. This allowed exploration of the contexts where heat is considered a comfort material, use cases stemming from these contexts, and usability considerations in designing with heat as a comfort material. As a result, two significant paradigms of using heat for comfort emerged: discomfort-avoidance behavior and comfort-seeking behavior. In addition, the degree of flexibility for users, importance of material with differing use cases, controllability of heat, and comfort in social interactions emerged as key design considerations when developing artifacts with heat as a comfort material. / Värme är en viktig aspekt när det gäller personliga bekvämligheter. Att skapa en design där värme är ett bekvämlighetsmaterial är dock svårt på grund av materialets subjektiva natur och människors multipla preferenser. Denna artikel presenterar resultaten av ett utforskande designprojekt, där ett värmekit bestående av tre designsonder utvecklades genom självutforskning och fem deltagares design. Fältstudier med detta värmekit gjorde det möjligt för deltagarna att interagera med värme som ett bekvämlighetsmaterial i deras dagliga liv, vilket gjorde det möjligt att utforska de sammanhang där värme anses vara ett bekvämlighetsmaterial, användingsfall som kommer från dessa kontext samt omständigheter för användaren som kommer från att designa efter värme som ett bekvämlighetsmaterial. Som ett resultat uppstod två betydande paradigm för att använda värme för komfort: beteende som undviker obehag och beteende som söker komfort. Dessutom framträdde graden av flexibilitet för användarna, vikten av material med olika användningsfall, reglerbarhet av värme och komfort i sociala interaktioner som viktiga designöverväganden vid utveckling av artefakter med värme som komfortmaterial.

La technologie de numérisation des données manuscrites a atteint son essor après l’invention du stylo numérique. Les recherches se sont concentrées alors sur le développement des applications IHM qui facilitent la manipulation des données encre numérique. Dans un contexte de recherche, la technologie du papier et stylo numériques s’avère utile pour la collecte des données expérimentales dans différents domaines. Notre but est de fournir une aide pour le traitement et la visualisation des données, notamment les données temps, recueillies avec un stylo numérique dans deux cas d’usage en sciences de l’éducation à savoir les tests d’évaluation et la prise de notes d’observation. Notre démarche consiste à étudier ces cas d’usage en terme de besoin dans quatre expériences concrètes et à développer, en participation avec l’utilisateur, des prototypes de système de traitement et de visualisation des données. Dans le but de concevoir un modèle général de tel système, nous avons analysé l’interface d’utilisation des prototypes en terme de fonctionnalités, de visualisation et d’interaction. Notre modèle décrit le processus de visualisation en mettant en œuvre trois types de tâches d’utilisateur à savoir les tâches d’analyses, les tâches de manipulation et les tâches d’interaction. / Scanning technology for handwritten data has reached its momentum after the invention of the digital pen. Research work focused on the development of HMI applications that facilitate digital ink data manipulation. In a research context, digital pen and paper technology is useful for collecting experimental data in various fields. Our goal is to provide support for the processing and the visualization of time stamped data collected by a digital pen in two cases of use : on one hand, in the educational science field, and especially for assessment tests and, on another hand, for taking observation notes. Our approach is to study these cases of use through four concrete experiences and to develop, with the participation of the user, prototypes for a system that aid to process and to visualize collected data. In order to abstract a general model of such a system, we analyzed prototypes user interfaces in terms of functionality, visualization and interaction. Our model describes the visualization process by implementing three types of user tasks namely analytic tasks, handling tasks and interaction tasks.

Les environnements virtuels, et en particulier les simulateurs de conduite à plate-forme dynamique, posent la délicate question de la restitution multisensorielle en vue de générer la bonne "illusion" pour leurs utilisateurs. Si la réalité virtuelle est reconnue pour la limitation des coûts, le gain temporel et la contrôlabilité et reproductibilité des situations étudiées, la problématique de la validité de ces outils de recherche (ou de formation) est cruciale pour la transférabilité des connaissances produites.Constituant une première étape dans le processus de validation du simulateur IFSTTAR, ce travail s’appuie sur une démarche originale reposant sur une double évaluation, par élément et globale. Il s’agit (i) de configurer de manière optimale les caractéristiques immersives et interactives du simulateur liées au mouvement de roulis afin de produire une illusion d’inclinaison crédible et acceptée, et (ii) d’évaluer, de manière globale, différentes configurations du simulateur (modèles dynamiques de véhicule) au moyen de mesures objectives (temps de familiarisation) et subjectives (présence, mal du simulateur).Prises dans leur ensemble, les sept études menées durant cette thèse ont permis de valider une plage de restitution du mouvement de roulis pertinente pour produire une sensation d’inclinaison sans entraîner de déséquilibre critique ou de sensation de chute. Un angle d’inclinaison du simulateur au-delà de 11,4 degrés est ainsi déconseillé pour éviter toute sensation de chute, néanmoins cette valeur est susceptible d’être influencée par divers facteurs (e.g., présence d’informations visuelles, positionnement de l’axe de roulis). Ces études ont également permis d’identifier, en conduite passive, les paramètres nécessaires ainsi que les contributions relatives des informations visuelle et inertielle pour la production d’une sensation d’inclinaison crédible. En conduite active, l’évaluation du degré de contrôle des participants en fonction du modèle dynamique de véhicule (virtuel) a permis de pointer les faiblesses actuelles du simulateur IFSTTAR afin de proposer plusieurs pistes de développement. / Virtual environments, and specifically motion-based driving simulators, raise the delicate question of multisensory cueing in order to produce the good "illusion" to the users. If virtual reality is well acknowledged for cost limitation, validity issue of these research (or training) tools is critical for knowledge transfer of new results.As a first step in the validation process of the IFSTTAR motorcycle simulator, this work relies upon an original design based on a double approach : by element and global. It consists in (i) optimal balancing of simulator’s immersive and interactive characteristics linked to roll motion so as to yield a believable and embraced leaning illusion, and (ii) evaluating more generally different simulator configurations (vehicle dynamic models) through objective (training length) and subjective measures (presence, simulator sickness).Taken as a whole, the seven studies conducted during this thesis enable the validation of the relevant range of roll motion cueing to produce a leaning sensation without leading to a critical unbalance or fall sensation. A leaning angle of the simulator beyond 11.4 degrees is not recommended to avoid any fall sensation, however this figure can be influenced by various factors (e.g., visual informations, roll axis location). These studies also allow to identify, in passive driving situations, the necessary parameters as well as the relative contribution of visual and inertial informations for the production of a believable leaning sensation. In an active driving situation, the evaluation of the degree of users control through different (virtual) vehicles dynamic models has permitted to highlight the weaknesses of IFSTTAR simulator in order to set several guidelines for further development.

Dans le domaine de la conception d’Interfaces Homme-Système (IHS), un des concepts clés est celui de la Conception Centrée Utilisateurs (CCU), qui place les utilisateurs au centre de la démarche. Bien que cette démarche constitue une avancée considérable pour proposer des solutions qui répondent aux besoins et aux attentes des utilisateurs finaux, elle n’est pas totalement adaptée lorsque ces derniers présentent des déficiences multiples. Egalement, malgré les bénéfices de la CCU, il est constaté que les concepteurs demeurent peu nombreux à appliquer cette démarche, l’utilisation d’approches plus classiques restant encore dominante. Les concepteurs sont peu sensibilisés à la prise en compte des utilisateurs finaux, encore moins lorsque ceux-ci présentent des déficiences.Face à ces constats, notre travail s’est articulé selon deux axes réalisés en parallèle. Nous avons élaboré et formalisé une méthode de conception systémique d’IHS : AMICAS (Approche Méthodologique Innovante de Conception Adaptée Systémique), afin de permettre la conception d’outils et services adaptés aux utilisateurs finaux, quelles que soient leurs spécificités. Cette méthode a été testée auprès d’enfants en situation de multihandicap dans un contexte scolaire et de personnes âgées en institution. En parallèle, nous avons élaboré un système d’aide à la décision, à destination des concepteurs d’IHS, afin de les sensibiliser à la prise en compte des utilisateurs finaux et de leurs déficiences dans les démarches de conception. Au regard des résultats obtenus, nous proposons en synthèse une version améliorée de la méthode de conception AMICAS et une mise en ligne de notre système d’aide. / In the field of Human-System Interface (HSI) design, one key concept is the User-Centred Design (UCD), an approach that considers the user as the centre of the design process. Although this approach is a significant advance to provide solutions that meets the needs and expectations of end-users, it is not totally suitable for end-users with multiple disabilities. Moreover, despite the benefits of the UCD, only few designers apply this approach. The use of standard approaches remains dominant. There is a general lack of awareness among designers on how take account of end-users, even less when the end-users have multiples disabilities.In view of these observations, our work has been structured to two main axes, conducted in parallel. We have elaborated and formalized design method of HSI, named AMICAS (Innovative Methodological Approach of Adapted Systemic Design), in order to design tools or services adapted for users, whatever their disabilities are. This method has been tested to children with multiple disabilities in educational context and with elderly in care homes. Also, we have developed a decision support tool. The purpose of this tool is to help designers to take into account end-users and their disabilities into the design stage. Based on the results, we suggest in synthesizing an improved version of AMICAS and we have published the decision support tool online.

La conception de produits évoluant, il est aujourd’hui nécessaire pour les entreprises de proposer une réelle expérience pour l’utilisateur en accord avec ses besoins, ses caractéristiques et ses souhaits qui repose notamment sur l’intégration de l’ergonome, du designer produit et de l’utilisateur aux équipes de conception. Cet enjeu est démultiplié, dès lors que nous parlons de conception pour tous. Cependant, si l’utilisateur est souvent acteur des étapes d’analyse du besoin et d’évaluation de la solution finale dans les modèles de conception centrée sur l’utilisateur actuels, il est rarement sollicité au cours des phases de recherche de solutions et de créativité. C’est dans cette perspective que se situent nos travaux de recherche, en s’inspirant de la philosophie du « Faire » et des pratiques issues des Fablabs où les utilisateurs sont d’ores et déjà acteurs à part entière du projet de conception de produits. Ainsi, nous cherchons à mettre en place une conception de produits pour tous et par tous dans le but de répondre à notre problématique de recherche : « Comment favoriser en conception centrée utilisateur, l’intégration de l’utilisateur spécifique comme expert du quotidien aux côtés des experts de la conception, à travers des phases de co-créativité orientées sur la situation de vie ? ». Ainsi au cours de notre recherche, nous répondons à trois objectifs principaux. Tout d’abord, nous cherchons à identifier les méthodes et outils de co-créativité existants autour de la notion de situation de vie. Dans ce but, nous nous intéressons aux pratiques de co-créativité dans le cadre de projets industriels ainsi que dans l’univers spécifique du « Faire ». Nous réalisons ces différentes études à travers notamment la mise en place d’observation participantes, d’entretiens semis dirigés et de l’analyse qualitative des traces recueillies sur plus de 130 projets industriels. A la suite de cela, nous proposons un outil sur la situation de vie permettant d’intégrer l’utilisateur aux phases de co-créativité aux côtés des experts de la conception. Cet outil est proposé à l’issue d’expérimentations réalisées dans l’univers du « Faire ». Enfin nous validons expérimentalement par une analyse qualitative et quantitative cet outil de co-créativité sur la situation de vie auprès d’une équipe de conception interdisciplinaire intégrant l’utilisateur spécifique dans le cadre d’un projet industriel relevant de la conception pour tous. / Product design is evolving. It is now necessary for companies to offer a real experience to the user regarding its needs, characteristics and desires. For this purpose, design teams gather the ergonomist, the product designer and the user. Thus, the many issues of what we called “design for all” are multiplied. Whereas the user is often involved all along the analysis of the needs and during the evaluation of the solution in the current user-centred design models, he is rarely integrated to the creativity phases. Inspired by the philosophy of “Make” and by the practices of the “Fablabs”, our researches are driven by the hypothesis that users should already be considered as full participants in the product design process. From this point, we want to set up a product design for all and by all, following our main research question: "How to promote, in user-centred design, the integration of the specific user as an everyday expert alongside classical design experts through the phases of co-creativity and framed by life situation? ". To achieve this goal, we answer three main objectives. First, we seek to identify existing co-creativity methods and tools around the notion of life situation. More precisely, we are interested in co-creativity practices in the context of both industrial projects and Fablabs ecosystem. We carry out these various studies through the implementation of participant observations, interviews and qualitative analysis of traces collected among more than 130 industrial projects. Following this, we propose a tool applied to life situation that allows us to integrate the user in the phases of co-creativity alongside design experts. This tool is built on top of experiments conducted in the universe of the "Make". Finally, we validate qualitatively and quantitatively our tool with an interdisciplinary design team that integrates the specific user into an industrial project of design for all.

<p>This research work investigates and reports on the contribution of usability and perceptual frameworks towards understanding and ultimately increasing usage of a sales website and a corporate marketing website for a major insurance company in South Africa. It investigates whether the application of usability principles to the sales web positively influences the usage of the sales web system as a tool by intermediaries, and in so doing help the organisation recoup their investment and lower operational costs. This financial services (traditionally insurance) company, like many organisations, is in the process of migrating key operational systems onto web platforms to take advantage of benefits such as the ubiquity of web access and services orientated architecture among others. The research reviewed key frameworks in the area of technology acceptance or usage namely  Nielsen‟s usability attributes (Nielsen, 2003)  The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), (Davis, 1989)&nbsp /  The Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein &amp / Ajzen, 1975)  The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) / and derived a theoretical summative model (the Conceptual Research Model) that combined both usability and perceptual dimensions. The applicability of this summative model was empirically tested using quantitative data relating to system&nbsp / usage and user perception. Empirical evidence was gathered to prove and refine the Conceptual Research Model (CRM), and the data substantiated the inclusion of the constructs in the CRM, as well as the efficacy of the model in a financial services organisation. Through testing of the CRM, this research has also confirmed which specific attributes of usability can be focussed on to bring about positive change in users‟ usage behaviour and adoption of a website or web application.</p>

<p>This research work investigates and reports on the contribution of usability and perceptual frameworks towards understanding and ultimately increasing usage of a sales website and a corporate marketing website for a major insurance company in South Africa. It investigates whether the application of usability principles to the sales web positively influences the usage of the sales web system as a tool by intermediaries, and in so doing help the organisation recoup their investment and lower operational costs. This financial services (traditionally insurance) company, like many organisations, is in the process of migrating key operational systems onto web platforms to take advantage of benefits such as the ubiquity of web access and services orientated architecture among others. The research reviewed key frameworks in the area of technology acceptance or usage namely  Nielsen‟s usability attributes (Nielsen, 2003)  The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), (Davis, 1989)&nbsp /  The Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein &amp / Ajzen, 1975)  The Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) / and derived a theoretical summative model (the Conceptual Research Model) that combined both usability and perceptual dimensions. The applicability of this summative model was empirically tested using quantitative data relating to system&nbsp / usage and user perception. Empirical evidence was gathered to prove and refine the Conceptual Research Model (CRM), and the data substantiated the inclusion of the constructs in the CRM, as well as the efficacy of the model in a financial services organisation. Through testing of the CRM, this research has also confirmed which specific attributes of usability can be focussed on to bring about positive change in users‟ usage behaviour and adoption of a website or web application.</p>