Abstract

The paper relates different approaches to usability based on the product, the user, ease-of-use, actual usage and the context of use; and proposes that usability should be defined as the ease of use and acceptability of a product for a particular class of users carrying out specific tasks in a specific environment. Criterion levels for measure- ments of attitude and user performance determine whether the design of the product is successful in achieving usability. Diagnostic evaluation of usability problems may be based on analysis of user interaction or comparison of product attributes with guidelines.

Keywords

UsabilityComputer scienceUsability goalsUsability engineeringWeb usabilityUsability inspectionUsability labHuman–computer interactionCognitive walkthroughProduct (mathematics)Context (archaeology)Heuristic evaluationPluralistic walkthroughMathematics

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Publication Info

Year
1991
Type
article
Citations
219
Access
Closed

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Cite This

Nigel Bevan, Jurek Kirakowski, Jonathan Maissel (1991). What is Usability. .