Contents
Oct/Nov 2018 ................................................................................ 3
Question 1......................................................................................................................... 3
(may/jun2017 Q5.2) .......................................................................................................... 3
Question 2......................................................................................................................... 3
Question 3......................................................................................................................... 4
Question 4......................................................................................................................... 5
Question 5......................................................................................................................... 6
Question 6......................................................................................................................... 7
May/June 2018 .............................................................................. 8
Question 1......................................................................................................................... 8
Question 4......................................................................................................................... 9
Oct/Nov 2017 .............................................................................. 10
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 10
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 11
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 11
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 12
Question 6....................................................................................................................... 13
May/June 2017 ............................................................................ 14
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 14
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 14
May/June 2017-1 ......................................................................... 16
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 16
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 17
May/June 2016 ............................................................................ 17
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 18
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 18
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 19
Question 6....................................................................................................................... 21
Oct/Nov 2015 .............................................................................. 21
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 21
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 21
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 22
Question 7....................................................................................................................... 22
Question 8....................................................................................................................... 23
Question 9....................................................................................................................... 23
P a g e 1 | 28
, Question 10..................................................................................................................... 23
Question 11..................................................................................................................... 23
Question 12..................................................................................................................... 23
May/Jun 2015 .............................................................................. 24
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 24
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 25
May/Jun 2019 .............................................................................. 27
Question 1.4.................................................................................................................... 27
Question 1.6.................................................................................................................... 27
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 27
Question 3.3.................................................................................................................... 27
P a g e 2 | 28
, Oct/Nov 2018
Question 1
When following a user-centred approach in interaction design, there
is a principle of “focus on users and tasks early”. This is one of the
principles that make
it easy and useful to use a computer system. Name and explain the
five sub-principles that explain the meaning of the above statement
(10 marks)
a. Users’ tasks and goals are the driving force behind development.
In a user-centered approach to design, while technology will inform design
options and choices, it should not be the driving force.
b. Users’ behaviour and context of use are studied, and the system is
designed to support them.
This is about more than just capturing the tasks and users’ goals. How
people perform their tasks is also significant. Understanding behaviour
highlights priorities, preferences and implicit intentions.
c. Users’ characteristics are captured and designed for.
Products designed to support humans should take limitations like human
error into account and should limit the mistakes they make.
d. Users are consulted throughout development from earliest phases to the
latest and their input is seriously taken into account.
e. All design decisions are taken within the context of the users, their work
and their environment.
Does not necessarily mean that users are actively involved in design.
Designers just need to remain aware of users while making their decisions.
(may/jun2017 Q5.2)
How would you apply the five sub principles in improving the MyUnisa
system (5 marks)
Question 2
2.1 What is the strength of using brainstorming in interaction design
during the requirements gathering stage? (2 marks)
The key strength of brainstorming during requirements gathering is generating
alternative ideas that are key in interaction design.
2.2 List any five recommended rules that need to be followed for a
requirements gathering brainstorming session to be a success. (10
marks)
1. Include participants from a wide range of disciplines, with a broad range of
experience.
P a g e 3 | 28
, 2. Don’t ban silly stuff. Wild ideas often turn into really useful requirements.
3. Use catalysts for further inspiration. Build one idea on top of another.
4. Keep records. Every idea to be captured without censoring. Number ideas
for easy reference. Walls and tables in the room to be covered with paper
and participants to be encouraged to sketch, mind-map and diagram ideas,
including keeping the flow of ideas, as special memory is very strong and
this can facilitate recall.
5. Sharpen the focus. Start brainstorming with well-honed problem.
6. Use warm-up exercises and make session fun. Group will require warm-up if
they have not worked together before.
Question 3
3.1 Briefly describe any three usability goals that would guide your
usability testing (6 marks) p457
Primary goal is to determine whether an interface is usable by the intended
user population to carry out the tasks for which it was designed.
User satisfaction questionnaires and interviews can also be used to elicit users’
opinions about how they found the experience of using the system.
Optimal performance levels and minimal levels of acceptance are generally
specified and current levels noted
3.2 If you are to evaluate the website in a usability lab, how many
participants would you invite? Justify your answer (2 marks) p475
Five to twelve participants is considered an acceptable number.
3.3 Which data capturing methods would you use to collect data from
the participants when carrying out the test in a usability laboratory?
(3 marks) p476
Typically video cameras will record users’ behaviour, such as movements and
facial expression, and general body language. Microphones are also placed
near where the participants will be sitting to record their utterances.
The observation room with a one way mirror, so that evaluators can watch
participants being tested but testers cannot see them.
3.4 What are the disadvantages of carrying out the evaluation in a
laboratory? (4 marks)
Usability labs can be very expensive and labour-intensive to run and maintain.
Modifications would need to be made to these labs on a regular basis when
new products or systems are tested, and can be time-consuming.
P a g e 4 | 28
Oct/Nov 2018 ................................................................................ 3
Question 1......................................................................................................................... 3
(may/jun2017 Q5.2) .......................................................................................................... 3
Question 2......................................................................................................................... 3
Question 3......................................................................................................................... 4
Question 4......................................................................................................................... 5
Question 5......................................................................................................................... 6
Question 6......................................................................................................................... 7
May/June 2018 .............................................................................. 8
Question 1......................................................................................................................... 8
Question 4......................................................................................................................... 9
Oct/Nov 2017 .............................................................................. 10
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 10
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 11
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 11
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 12
Question 6....................................................................................................................... 13
May/June 2017 ............................................................................ 14
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 14
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 14
May/June 2017-1 ......................................................................... 16
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 16
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 17
May/June 2016 ............................................................................ 17
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 18
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 18
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 19
Question 6....................................................................................................................... 21
Oct/Nov 2015 .............................................................................. 21
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 21
Question 3....................................................................................................................... 21
Question 4....................................................................................................................... 22
Question 7....................................................................................................................... 22
Question 8....................................................................................................................... 23
Question 9....................................................................................................................... 23
P a g e 1 | 28
, Question 10..................................................................................................................... 23
Question 11..................................................................................................................... 23
Question 12..................................................................................................................... 23
May/Jun 2015 .............................................................................. 24
Question 1....................................................................................................................... 24
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 25
May/Jun 2019 .............................................................................. 27
Question 1.4.................................................................................................................... 27
Question 1.6.................................................................................................................... 27
Question 2....................................................................................................................... 27
Question 3.3.................................................................................................................... 27
P a g e 2 | 28
, Oct/Nov 2018
Question 1
When following a user-centred approach in interaction design, there
is a principle of “focus on users and tasks early”. This is one of the
principles that make
it easy and useful to use a computer system. Name and explain the
five sub-principles that explain the meaning of the above statement
(10 marks)
a. Users’ tasks and goals are the driving force behind development.
In a user-centered approach to design, while technology will inform design
options and choices, it should not be the driving force.
b. Users’ behaviour and context of use are studied, and the system is
designed to support them.
This is about more than just capturing the tasks and users’ goals. How
people perform their tasks is also significant. Understanding behaviour
highlights priorities, preferences and implicit intentions.
c. Users’ characteristics are captured and designed for.
Products designed to support humans should take limitations like human
error into account and should limit the mistakes they make.
d. Users are consulted throughout development from earliest phases to the
latest and their input is seriously taken into account.
e. All design decisions are taken within the context of the users, their work
and their environment.
Does not necessarily mean that users are actively involved in design.
Designers just need to remain aware of users while making their decisions.
(may/jun2017 Q5.2)
How would you apply the five sub principles in improving the MyUnisa
system (5 marks)
Question 2
2.1 What is the strength of using brainstorming in interaction design
during the requirements gathering stage? (2 marks)
The key strength of brainstorming during requirements gathering is generating
alternative ideas that are key in interaction design.
2.2 List any five recommended rules that need to be followed for a
requirements gathering brainstorming session to be a success. (10
marks)
1. Include participants from a wide range of disciplines, with a broad range of
experience.
P a g e 3 | 28
, 2. Don’t ban silly stuff. Wild ideas often turn into really useful requirements.
3. Use catalysts for further inspiration. Build one idea on top of another.
4. Keep records. Every idea to be captured without censoring. Number ideas
for easy reference. Walls and tables in the room to be covered with paper
and participants to be encouraged to sketch, mind-map and diagram ideas,
including keeping the flow of ideas, as special memory is very strong and
this can facilitate recall.
5. Sharpen the focus. Start brainstorming with well-honed problem.
6. Use warm-up exercises and make session fun. Group will require warm-up if
they have not worked together before.
Question 3
3.1 Briefly describe any three usability goals that would guide your
usability testing (6 marks) p457
Primary goal is to determine whether an interface is usable by the intended
user population to carry out the tasks for which it was designed.
User satisfaction questionnaires and interviews can also be used to elicit users’
opinions about how they found the experience of using the system.
Optimal performance levels and minimal levels of acceptance are generally
specified and current levels noted
3.2 If you are to evaluate the website in a usability lab, how many
participants would you invite? Justify your answer (2 marks) p475
Five to twelve participants is considered an acceptable number.
3.3 Which data capturing methods would you use to collect data from
the participants when carrying out the test in a usability laboratory?
(3 marks) p476
Typically video cameras will record users’ behaviour, such as movements and
facial expression, and general body language. Microphones are also placed
near where the participants will be sitting to record their utterances.
The observation room with a one way mirror, so that evaluators can watch
participants being tested but testers cannot see them.
3.4 What are the disadvantages of carrying out the evaluation in a
laboratory? (4 marks)
Usability labs can be very expensive and labour-intensive to run and maintain.
Modifications would need to be made to these labs on a regular basis when
new products or systems are tested, and can be time-consuming.
P a g e 4 | 28
