Usability evaluation for mobile device: A comparison of laboratory and field tests
Hb-L Duh, Gcb Tan, Vivian Hsueh Hua Chen · eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) · 2006
Usability testing of mobile devices is an emerging area ofresearch in the field of Human-Computer Interaction. Guidelineshad been established as to how usability tests should beconducted. However, there are limitations to the effectiveness ofconventional usability tests, especially for mobile devices. Mobiledevices typically are used in different situations, but currentevaluation method cannot uncover problems in all type ofsituations. Hence, this study evaluates the effectiveness ofconventional laboratory usability tests. It investigated thedifferences between usability tests on mobile phones conducted inlaboratory and real life situation. Significant differences werefound, including the frequency and severity of usability problemsencountered, the users behavior, and subjective responses to thedevice and the interaction.