Inventory of User Expectations for Technology (Iexpect)
Steeven Villa, Thomas Kosch, Agnes Mercedes Kloft, Jasper Quinn, Sari Kujala, Robin Welsch · SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025
User expectations regarding interactive technologies are critical in their evaluation. Prior research shows that matching expectations improves experience and interaction, while a mismatch can lead to disappointment. We developed the Inventory of User Expectations for Technology (iExpect), which measures user expectations before interaction. To develop the scale, we first created a list of items grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model and the existing literature which were reviewed by 11 experts. Next, we performed a study with 259 participants and used exploratory factor analysis to reduce the scale to 22 items (three factors: Anticipated Ease of Use, Anticipated Usefulness, Anticipated Enjoyment). Subsequently, we confirmed its test-retest reliability and construct validity with a study of 278 participants. The iExpect scale enables researchers and practitioners to measure user expectations before interaction and assists designers, user experience professionals and researchers in considering technology expectations and mitigating for expectation-based effects in technology evaluation.