Evaluation of product usability: development and validation of usability dimensions and design elements based on empirical models

Abstract

Usability defined in this study consists of the following two groups of dimensions: objective performance and subjective image/impression, which are considered equally important in designing and evaluating consumer electronic products. This study assumes that the degree of each usability dimension can be estimated by the design elements of the products. A total of 48 detailed usability dimensions were identified and defined in order to explain the usability concept applicable to the consumer electronic products. The user interface of the consumer electronic products was decomposed into specific design elements (defined as human interface elements: HIEs). A total of 88 HIEs were measured for 36 products by using a measurement checklist developed in this study. In addition, each usability dimension was evaluated by using the modified free modulus method. Multiple linear regression techniques were used to model the relationship between the usability and the design elements. As a result, 33 regression models were developed. The models are expected to help the designers not only identify important design variables but also predict the level of usability of a specific consumer electronic product. The approach used in this study is expected to provide an innovative and systematic framework for enhancing the usability of the consumer electronic products as well as other consumer products with minor modifications. Relevance to industry This study presents a systematic approach to enhancing the objective and subjective usability of consumer electronic products. It can be used in the design and evaluation stage of the development process in order to help the designers and developers identify important design elements, diagnose usability problems, and predict the level of usability of consumer electronic products. In addition, the approach developed in this study is also applicable to other consumer products (such as appliances, automobiles, communication devices, etc.) with minor modifications. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.