Reducing Cognitive Load for a Data-Intensive Web Application User
Aliia Kodzhoshalieva · Doria (University of Helsinki) · 2020
ABSTRACT Users experience certain levels of cognitive load when interacting with data-intensive web applications. The overload of a user’s cognitive workload leads to poor user experience (UX), inability to make timely and better decisions, poor productivity, and fatigue. This thesis focuses on understanding what is cognitive load in UX, its importance and ways of reducing that load through a better UX design. A literature review was conducted on cognitive load theories and 4 UX design principles to reduce the cognitive load. The qualitative data collection method was applied in the form of structured and semi-structured interviews. A total of 11 companies were interviewed for the qualitative data collection purpose. Eleven companies’ applications were reviewed during the interviews from the cognitive load reduction perspective. Finally, the thesis work evaluates in a discussion format the gaps identified between the research background and the data collection results. In conclusion, three suggestions for future research work are made. Keywords: user interface (UI), user experience (UX), user cognitive load, user psychology, data-intensive web application, human-computer interaction.