Early traces of usability as a science and as a profession
Gitte Lindgaard · Interacting with Computers · 2009
Shackel’s paper [Shackel, B., 1991. Usability – context, framework, definition, design and evaluation. In: Shcakel, B., Richardson, S. (Eds.), Human Factors for Informatics Usability. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK] is reviewed in an attempt to assess his contribution to the development of usability as a science and as a profession. Usability related research is first situated in the period around 1990. The contributions to usability as a science then are addressed via Professor Shackel’s definition and evaluation of usability. Finally, his contribution toward usability as a profession is acknowledged via his view of usability in the light of wider business goals.