Discovering user-generated metaphors through usability testing

Author

Schulz, Erin ; Ramey, Judith ; Van Alphen, Maarten ; Rasnake, William

Author_Institution

Visio Corp., Seattle, WA, USA

Volume

40

Issue

4

fYear

1997

fDate

12/1/1997 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

255

Lastpage

264

Abstract

A post hoc analysis of data collected from a usability test on the Fluke ScopeMeter 97 (a diagnostic instrument for analyzing electrical signals) revealed that, in doing tasks, subjects were making use of their own internal metaphors (user generated) that were unsupported by the design of the ScopeMeter keys. We investigated the interaction of the user generated metaphors and designer generated metaphors. By examining the effects that the subjects´ skill levels and their backgrounds had on employing such metaphors, we began to outline certain characteristics of user generated metaphors. We found that user generated metaphors demonstrate unyielding persistence in the minds of ScopeMeter users, particularly in the higher skilled subjects

Keywords

human factors; interactive systems; signal processing; signal processing equipment; user interfaces; Fluke ScopeMeter 97; ScopeMeter users; designer generated metaphors; diagnostic instrument; electrical signal analysis; internal metaphors; post hoc data analysis; skill levels; usability testing; user generated metaphors; Associate members; Cognitive science; Data analysis; Humans; Instruments; Professional communication; Signal analysis; Signal design; Testing; Usability;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Professional Communication, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0361-1434

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/47.650003

Filename

650003