Evaluating the developer´s interface to a kbs shell: some reflections

Author

Kemp, Elizabeth A.

Author_Institution

Massey Univ., Palmerston North, New Zealand

fYear

1996

fDate

24-27 Nov 1996

Firstpage

122

Lastpage

128

Abstract

In this paper, the evaluation of the knowledge-based system shell, NEXPERT, is reported. It has been argued that AI tools of this kind have not had the success anticipated because of problems with the developer´s interface. It would appear that software of this type does not help users develop a good conceptual model. An evaluation of NEXPERT has been conducted using various approaches. A group of students who had experience with the tool were asked to fill in the Software Usability Measurement Inventory (SUMI) 50 item questionnaire. The data was analysed and various aspects of usability measured: learnability, helpfulness, affect, control and efficiency. An expert user and a group of students were also interviewed to find out what they believed were the best and worst aspects of the software. The overall results are discussed and suggestions made for improving the interface of NEXPERT

Keywords

expert system shells; human factors; software performance evaluation; user interfaces; AI tools; NEXPERT; Software Usability Measurement Inventory; conceptual model; helpfulness; human factors; knowledge-based system shell; learnability; students; user interface; Artificial intelligence; Data analysis; Expert systems; Graphical user interfaces; Knowledge based systems; Reflection; Software measurement; Software tools; Usability; User interfaces;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Computer-Human Interaction, 1996. Proceedings., Sixth Australian Conference on

Conference_Location

Hamilton

Print_ISBN

0-8186-7525-X

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/OZCHI.1996.559997

Filename

559997