UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

							                         UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

                 UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2009/2010

                               Semester One


Module Code: COM719                             CRN: 11880

Title: Advanced Human Computer Interaction

Time Allowed: 3 hrs



Use of Dictionaries:          Dictionaries are not permitted

Examination Aids:             Examination aids are not permitted

Instructions to Candidates:   Candidates should read this section carefully
                              before commencement of the examination.

                              Answer any FOUR Questions

                              All questions carry equal marks


 Students are advised to write their registration number and desk number only on
any attachment, eg graph paper, or any other documentation being submitted with
                         their examination script book(s).



                                       [insert name(s) of Module Co-ordinator(s)]




                              Dr Joan Condell




                                  Page 1 of 4
Answer any FOUR Questions

Question 1.
(a)    Evaluation is a very important stage in the design of a computerised system. Hill and
       Hartson (1993) suggested reasons why interface evaluation should be carried out.
       Outline 5 of these reasons.                                                  (5 marks)

(b)    Differentiate between a summative and a formative evaluation.                 (4 marks)

(c)    List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of the following evaluation methods:
       (i)     Expert evaluation                                                     (4 marks)
       (ii)    Observational evaluation                                              (4 marks)
       (iii)   Survey evaluation                                                     (4 marks)
       (iv)    Experimental evaluation                                               (4 marks)


                                                                              [Total 25 marks]




Question 2.
(a)   Why were the 7 Principles of Universal Design created?                         (2 marks)
      Describe and discuss the 7 Principles of Universal Design.                    (10 marks)

(b)   Explain how the ‘user-centred’ HCI and ‘traditional’ Systems Analysis perspectives on
      software development and design may be seen as perspectives in tension.     (5 marks)

(c)   Describe and discuss the 4 fundamental activities of Interactive System Design i.e.:
      Problem Statement, Information gathering, Building of solution, Evaluation of solution.
                                                                                    (4 marks)

      In particular, what are the 4 main issues with the Problem Statement?          (4 marks)


                                                                              [Total 25 marks]




                                          Page 2 of 4
Question 3.

(a)    List 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of using a usability specification in the design
       process.                                                                   (6 marks)

(b)   Software companies should, ideally, test the usability of their product before releasing it
      for sale. Describe the 7 common usability factors.                              (7 marks)

(c)   Part of the usability specification process may include testing using performance
      metrics. Discuss and describe the 4 types of performance metrics that might be
      employed.                                                                (5 marks)

(d)   The following table shows part of the usability specification for a word-processing
      package. Explain the meaning of the data in each of the 7 rows of the table. (7 marks)

                          Time                   Initial performance
                          Task                   Adjust right page
                                                 margin
                          Value to be            Time on third trial
                          measured
                          Current level          23 seconds
                          Worst acceptable       21 seconds
                          level
                          Planned target level   31 seconds
                          Best possible level    35 seconds


                                                                              [Total 25 marks]

Question 4.

(a)   Describe, with simple examples, how you would take the following factors into
      consideration in designing Web pages:
      (i)      Visual Density and Balance                                         (3 marks)
      (ii)     Text Legibility                                                    (3 marks)
      (iii)    Visual Coding                                                      (3 marks)


(b)   Explain the concept of Chromatic Aberration and its significance for the use of colour
      in interfaces.                                                              (4 marks)

(c)   Norman (1981) categorises errors into 2 main types, namely mistakes and slips.
      Explain the difference between these types of error.                        (4 marks)

(d)   Software designers should apply 4 main guidelines when devising error messages –
      appropriate physical format, positive tone, specificity and constructive guidance.
      Discuss, with simple examples, the extent to which designers of software you use
      regularly do, or do not, comply with these guidelines.                          (8 marks)


                                                                              [Total 25 marks]
                                           Page 3 of 4
Question 5.
(a)   Compare and contrast the main characteristics of the long-term and short-term
      memory.                                                                     (7 marks)

      What are some of the implications of these characteristics for interface design?
                                                                                      (3 marks)


(b)   Explain the term ‘ergonomics’ and discuss its relevance in the study of HCI. (2 marks)

      Specifically discuss:
      (i) the arrangement of controls                                                  (3 marks)
      (ii) the use of colour                                                           (3 marks)
      (iii) the physical environment                                                   (3 marks)


(c)   Explain Soft Systems Methodology and outline its importance with regard to interface
      design.                                                                    (4 marks)


                                                                               [Total 25 marks]




Question 6.
(a)   Prototyping is a commonly used technique in HCI. List 5 of the merits that prototyping
      offers in delivering user-centred software.                                  (5 marks)

(b)   List the 5 features that are desirable in a useful and rapid prototyping tool.   (5 marks)

(c)   Redmond-Pyle and Moore (1995) looked at a system designed solely through
      prototyping. They encountered problems and so suggested a number of limitations of
      using prototyping on its own in developing interfaces. Outline 5 of these limitations.
                                                                                     (5 marks)

(d)   Briefly describe the 3 general types of interaction style, giving illustrative examples in
      each case.                                                                        (6 marks)

(e)   Discuss some of the main HCI principles that you would apply to the design of drop-
      down menu panels, in particular those principles that concern the provision of feedback
      to the user and considerations about how the menu items might be arranged within a
      single menu panel.                                                             (4 marks)


                                                                               [Total 25 marks]


                                            Page 4 of 4