Name
Abstract | ||
|---|---|---|
Aiding functions may be added to a computer system, so that users with insufficient knowledge can perform their tasks. The aiding should be integrated into the task execution of such users. Empirical knowledge is lacking about the conditions for successful aiding. We evaluated the on-line help system of the statistical software package SPSS/PC. It appears that the addition of help facilities to the system worsens the task performance and learning of novices substantially. In our view, the addition of help is harmful, because communication with the system is more complex as a result, whereas the help hardly provides the task support that novices need.De Greef et al. [5] provide two design principles that result in consistent communication and aiding in correspondence with users' needs: (i) the design of aiding functions is an integrated part of interface design and (ii) aiding is based upon an expert model of the users' task. We evaluated an interface for the statistical program HOMALS, which was designed according to these principles. As a consequence of the addition of aiding functions, non-expert users perform their tasks better and learn more. |
Year | DOI | Venue |
|---|---|---|
1993 | 10.1145/169059.169140 | human factors in computing systems |
Keywords | DocType | ISBN |
intelligent interfaces,summative evaluation,interface design,consistent communication,task performance,help facility,task execution,usability testing,help,computer system,design principle,task support,task analysis,empirical knowledge,on-line help system | Conference | 90-5199-133-9 |
Citations | PageRank | References |
4 | 0.60 | 9 |
Authors | ||
2 | ||
Name | Order | Citations | PageRank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Neerincx | 1 | 102 | 10.76 |
| Paul De Greef | 2 | 55 | 12.62 |