The Development of a Computer Aided UsabilitySoftware Engineering (CAUSE) Tool forSupporting Icon Testing Designed for HumanComputer Interaction.
Jafreezal Jaafar A · 2001
Computer Aided Usability Engineering Tools (CAUSE Tool) have been receiving increasing attention because they have the potential to integrate usability testing in the software development life cycle. In this study, we describe the design and implementation of an Automated Icon Testing Tool to support usability specialists in constructing and conducting empirical test to assess the usability of icons and high-level design concepts, with the help of user. The CAUSE tool allows usability specialists to test three usability aspects of icons: the ease of learning, the efficiency of use and the subjective satisfaction. In addition, the tool is capable of testing icons as part of the high-level design concepts of user interfaces and web pages. The CAUSE tool is divided into four major components: the Test Setup component is used by a usability specialists in preparing test questions and participant profile; the Icon Testing component which allows participants to perform the usability test; the User Performance Analysis component which provides an easy approach to analysing test data; and the Icon library which provides a collection of icons to be used for the tests. The advantages of the Icon Testing Tool are: the ability to conduct a quick icon tests at anytime during development lifecycle; the effectiveness and efficiency of the testing process for both the usability specialists and the test participant; and the ability to produce accurate and reliable data with minimum interference from the test monitor during the testing session.