Error by design: methods for predicting device usability
Error by design: methods for predicting device usability
This paper introduces the idea of predicting ‘designer error’ by evaluating devices using Human Error Identification (HEI) techniques. This is demonstrated using Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) and Task Analysis For Error Identification (TAFEI) to evaluate a vending machine. Appraisal criteria which rely upon user opinion, face validity and utilisation are questioned. Instead a quantitative approach, based upon signal detection theory, is recommended. The performance of people using SHERPA and TAFEI are compared with heuristic judgement and each other.
The results of these studies show that both SHERPA and TAFEI are better at predicting errors than the heuristic technique. The performance of SHERPA and TAFEI are comparable, giving some confidence in the use of these approaches. It is suggested that using HEI techniques as part of the design and evaluation process could help to make devices easier to use.
design methods, errors, psychology of design, user behaviour
363-384
Stanton, Neville A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Baber, Christopher
4ee925b7-aca3-4dd6-b930-23ddcd47400e
July 2002
Stanton, Neville A.
351a44ab-09a0-422a-a738-01df1fe0fadd
Baber, Christopher
4ee925b7-aca3-4dd6-b930-23ddcd47400e
Stanton, Neville A. and Baber, Christopher
(2002)
Error by design: methods for predicting device usability.
Design Studies, 23 (4), .
(doi:10.1016/S0142-694X(01)00032-1).
Abstract
This paper introduces the idea of predicting ‘designer error’ by evaluating devices using Human Error Identification (HEI) techniques. This is demonstrated using Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach (SHERPA) and Task Analysis For Error Identification (TAFEI) to evaluate a vending machine. Appraisal criteria which rely upon user opinion, face validity and utilisation are questioned. Instead a quantitative approach, based upon signal detection theory, is recommended. The performance of people using SHERPA and TAFEI are compared with heuristic judgement and each other.
The results of these studies show that both SHERPA and TAFEI are better at predicting errors than the heuristic technique. The performance of SHERPA and TAFEI are comparable, giving some confidence in the use of these approaches. It is suggested that using HEI techniques as part of the design and evaluation process could help to make devices easier to use.
Text
__soton.ac.uk_ude_personalfiles_users_jr1d11_mydesktop_ePrints_Error%20by%20design%20-%20methods%20for%20predicting%20device%20usability%20-%20Stanton%20&%20Baber_pdf.txt
- Accepted Manuscript
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Published date: July 2002
Keywords:
design methods, errors, psychology of design, user behaviour
Organisations:
Civil Engineering & the Environment
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 74677
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/74677
ISSN: 0142-694X
PURE UUID: b8dd2a88-01f2-4e1a-9d96-ff1bea2dc1a5
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Date deposited: 11 Mar 2010
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 02:54
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Author:
Christopher Baber
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