BESTLEC
Test Bank
Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-
Computer Interaction,
6th Edition
By Shneiderman, Plaisant, Cohen, Jacobs, Elmqvist, Diakopoulos
C
LE
ST
BE
1
, BESTLEC
Chapter 1: Usability of Interactive Systems Discussion Topics with Answers
1. Devise an outline, consistent with the scientific method, which interface researchers
should follow to validate their designs.
Following the scientific method closely works very well in usability studies. Identify a “control”,
formulate a hypothesis, test for hypothesis being true or false, etc. is an ideal model for interface
researchers.
2. List some characteristics of successful user interface designers with respect to their
approach to solving UI problems
C
– Successful UI designers go beyond vague notions of “user friendliness”, “intuitive”, and
“natural” doing more than simply making checklists of subjective guidelines.
–
LE
They have a thorough understanding of the diverse community of users and the tasks that
must be accomplished.
– They study evidence-based guidelines and pursue the research literature when necessary.
ST
– They are deeply committed to enhancing the user experience, which strengthens their
resolve when they face difficult choices, time pressures, and tight budgets
– Are aware of the importance of eliciting emotional responses, attracting attention with
BE
animations, and playfully surprising users
3. As noted in the book, some skeptics feel that accommodating diversity requires dumbing-
down or lowest-common-denominator strategies. However, the authors claim that in their
experience, rethinking interface designs to accommodate these diversity situations will result in a
better product for all users. Give an example of a product that meets the specific needs of a
certain group of people, yet gives all users a better experience.
One answer could be Automated Teller Machines (ATM) seen in ethnically diverse
neighborhoods, allowing the user to select the language before continuing to interact with the
machine. Chapter 6 goes into detail via a Case Study on ATM design.
2
, BESTLEC
4. List several reasons why certain people resist using computers and suggest possible ways
to you can alleviate these concerns.
One could argue that a major limitation is the complexity of the interfaces combined with small
screens and fonts. Many persons are just not able to comfortable select a tiny item from a drop
down list with a mouse, and, to many, that still is a difficult concept to grasp: to hold the mouse
button down when selecting an item as well as knowing when to release the button is a bit
complex to the novice. Solutions could be touch-screen (mouse-less) designs with large font
sizes.
5. Suggest three usability measures that can be directly used to produce a practical
evaluation of a system. Keep the goals of efficiency and satisfaction in mind with these
measures.
C
LE
Examples: Time to learn, rate of human errors, speed of task completion, subjective satisfaction,
sales, human retention over time.
ST
Chapter 2: Universal Usability Discussion Topics with Answers
1. Describe three populations of users with special needs. For each of these populations,
BE
suggest three ways current interfaces could be improved to better serve them.
Elderly, very young, not computer savvy. Some of this work has begun by tailoring control
panels for Windows and Mac interfaces, e.g. default font sizes. There is still much work to do
regarding introduction to computers. The One Laptop Per Child initiative is a start for two of the
three items listed here.
2. Suppose you need to design a system for users in both the United States and Japan.
Present a list of cultural differences that you should be aware of so that a successful design can
be made.
3
, BESTLEC
There are a number of references on internationalization of user interfaces. Not only the
difference in the languages, but cultural differences need to be considered. Usability testing with
both U.S. and Japanese users is a must. A classic reference is “International User Interfaces” by
Elisa M. del Galdo and Jakob Nielsen. Another is available at:
http://www.amanda.com/cms/uploads/media/AMA_GlobalizationUserInterfaceDesignWeb.pdf
3. In certain interfaces, it is necessary to inform users of an abnormal condition or time-
dependent information. It is important that the display of this information catches the user's
attention. Suggest five ways a designer can successfully attract attention.
Consider an air traffic control system operator display with an alert condition of two planes being
too close to each other. One can alert an operator by changing the color displayed for the plane’s
identification information, using a warning that pops-up, using a warning that flashes on/off, an
C
audible beep, or a constant audio alarm. Certainly usability testing these proposed solutions with
real air traffic controllers so designers can trade-off successfully attracting the attention of the
LE
operator vs. causing one to totally lose their train of thought and make conditions worse.
4. Name a piece of software you often use where it is easy to produce an error. Explain
ST
ways you could improve the interface to better prevent errors.
Not to mention names, but some desktop operating system vendors do publish updates to their
BE
products without fully testing their changes, sometimes causing more difficulty than not making
the change in the first place. My suggestion would be to use a beta test group more often of
people who are committed to responding with timely, incisive feedback before the change is
released to the general population.
5. List some human physiological or psychological factors that can influence human
operator performance.
Variations in physical abilities and physical workplaces, diverse cognitive and perceptual
abilities, personality types, and factors affecting perceptual and motor performance, such as:
– Arousal and vigilance
– Fatigue and sleep deprivation
4
Test Bank
Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-
Computer Interaction,
6th Edition
By Shneiderman, Plaisant, Cohen, Jacobs, Elmqvist, Diakopoulos
C
LE
ST
BE
1
, BESTLEC
Chapter 1: Usability of Interactive Systems Discussion Topics with Answers
1. Devise an outline, consistent with the scientific method, which interface researchers
should follow to validate their designs.
Following the scientific method closely works very well in usability studies. Identify a “control”,
formulate a hypothesis, test for hypothesis being true or false, etc. is an ideal model for interface
researchers.
2. List some characteristics of successful user interface designers with respect to their
approach to solving UI problems
C
– Successful UI designers go beyond vague notions of “user friendliness”, “intuitive”, and
“natural” doing more than simply making checklists of subjective guidelines.
–
LE
They have a thorough understanding of the diverse community of users and the tasks that
must be accomplished.
– They study evidence-based guidelines and pursue the research literature when necessary.
ST
– They are deeply committed to enhancing the user experience, which strengthens their
resolve when they face difficult choices, time pressures, and tight budgets
– Are aware of the importance of eliciting emotional responses, attracting attention with
BE
animations, and playfully surprising users
3. As noted in the book, some skeptics feel that accommodating diversity requires dumbing-
down or lowest-common-denominator strategies. However, the authors claim that in their
experience, rethinking interface designs to accommodate these diversity situations will result in a
better product for all users. Give an example of a product that meets the specific needs of a
certain group of people, yet gives all users a better experience.
One answer could be Automated Teller Machines (ATM) seen in ethnically diverse
neighborhoods, allowing the user to select the language before continuing to interact with the
machine. Chapter 6 goes into detail via a Case Study on ATM design.
2
, BESTLEC
4. List several reasons why certain people resist using computers and suggest possible ways
to you can alleviate these concerns.
One could argue that a major limitation is the complexity of the interfaces combined with small
screens and fonts. Many persons are just not able to comfortable select a tiny item from a drop
down list with a mouse, and, to many, that still is a difficult concept to grasp: to hold the mouse
button down when selecting an item as well as knowing when to release the button is a bit
complex to the novice. Solutions could be touch-screen (mouse-less) designs with large font
sizes.
5. Suggest three usability measures that can be directly used to produce a practical
evaluation of a system. Keep the goals of efficiency and satisfaction in mind with these
measures.
C
LE
Examples: Time to learn, rate of human errors, speed of task completion, subjective satisfaction,
sales, human retention over time.
ST
Chapter 2: Universal Usability Discussion Topics with Answers
1. Describe three populations of users with special needs. For each of these populations,
BE
suggest three ways current interfaces could be improved to better serve them.
Elderly, very young, not computer savvy. Some of this work has begun by tailoring control
panels for Windows and Mac interfaces, e.g. default font sizes. There is still much work to do
regarding introduction to computers. The One Laptop Per Child initiative is a start for two of the
three items listed here.
2. Suppose you need to design a system for users in both the United States and Japan.
Present a list of cultural differences that you should be aware of so that a successful design can
be made.
3
, BESTLEC
There are a number of references on internationalization of user interfaces. Not only the
difference in the languages, but cultural differences need to be considered. Usability testing with
both U.S. and Japanese users is a must. A classic reference is “International User Interfaces” by
Elisa M. del Galdo and Jakob Nielsen. Another is available at:
http://www.amanda.com/cms/uploads/media/AMA_GlobalizationUserInterfaceDesignWeb.pdf
3. In certain interfaces, it is necessary to inform users of an abnormal condition or time-
dependent information. It is important that the display of this information catches the user's
attention. Suggest five ways a designer can successfully attract attention.
Consider an air traffic control system operator display with an alert condition of two planes being
too close to each other. One can alert an operator by changing the color displayed for the plane’s
identification information, using a warning that pops-up, using a warning that flashes on/off, an
C
audible beep, or a constant audio alarm. Certainly usability testing these proposed solutions with
real air traffic controllers so designers can trade-off successfully attracting the attention of the
LE
operator vs. causing one to totally lose their train of thought and make conditions worse.
4. Name a piece of software you often use where it is easy to produce an error. Explain
ST
ways you could improve the interface to better prevent errors.
Not to mention names, but some desktop operating system vendors do publish updates to their
BE
products without fully testing their changes, sometimes causing more difficulty than not making
the change in the first place. My suggestion would be to use a beta test group more often of
people who are committed to responding with timely, incisive feedback before the change is
released to the general population.
5. List some human physiological or psychological factors that can influence human
operator performance.
Variations in physical abilities and physical workplaces, diverse cognitive and perceptual
abilities, personality types, and factors affecting perceptual and motor performance, such as:
– Arousal and vigilance
– Fatigue and sleep deprivation
4
