Cognitive WalkthroughExampleDr. Philip

Craiger

Human - Computer Interaction

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USERS New to GENISYS system Unfamiliar with text-based interfaces Some experience with GUIs Some experience using GUI-based

search systems at other libraries.

Based on this simple description, what general problems can you foresee?

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TASK: Search for “Handbook of GUI”, and

print information on the book TASK ANALYSIS (high level description):

1. Logon GENISYS system2. Search for book using keyword search3. Find book in list of results4. Print information for later use5. Exit the system

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Logon to GENISYS System Success story: Directions clearly indicate

user is to type in “genisys” at login:

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User enters into catalog Criterion: Will users know an action is

available? That is, that hitting the “G” key is associated

with going to GENISYS catalog Failure: users aren’t familiar with using

keystrokes to invoke commands. “Choose one” isn’t descriptive. Users may try to find mouse (there aren’t any!) to click on the “G”

Fix?

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User searches for book using keyword “GUI” Criterion: Will user notice that the correct

action is available? Failure story: User is familiar with using buttons

to initiate commands. GENISYS requires using the [return] key. Also, instructions for using the key are not in proximity to search. Users may not read entire screen and therefore not see the instructions.

Fix?

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Label-Following?

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User finds book and selects it from list for review. User hits the “4” key. Success story: If users have gotten

this far it suggests they now understand how to initiate actions using keystrokes. Also instruction “Please type number of item you want to see” is fairly clear.

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I want to print this!!! HOW???

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CW Through GENISYSUser prints information on book. Criterion: Will the user notice that the

correct action is available? Failure story: There is nothing on the

interface that indicates that printing is possible from that page.

Criterion: Will user associate correct action with that trying to be achieved?

Failure story: Only print indicator is on prior page. However, this doesn’t print all necessary information for the relevant book

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Pops up when clicking “+”: Additional Options

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What’s an e-mail printer?

What’s an attached printer?

What does “generic” meanin this context?

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Given user got to this point, selects the option to print to a local printer. Criterion: Will user associate the correct

action with the effect trying to be achieved? Failure story: Labels aren’t descriptive, and

are confusing to novices. There is no clear indication as to which option is associated with the local printer.

FIX?

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User selects “attached printer” through trial-and-error. Criterion: If the correct action is

performed, will the user see the progress being made toward the goal?

Failure story: No feedback given as to whether the information is printing. Only a duplication of the previous screen.

FIX?

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CW Through GENISYSBecause user saw no feedback, now selects “e-mail printer” option. Criterion: If the correct action is

performed, will the user see that progress is being made toward the goal?

Failure story: No feedback is given after the submitting the e-mail printer option. In fact, the user can type nonsense into the e-mail address request, and no feedback.

FIX?

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How do I get out of here?

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User exits the system Criterion: Will the user notice that

correct action is available? Failure story: No, there is no indication

as to how to exit the system from this point. Only indication is 3 levels higher. Would have had to have retained that information in memory (LTM). Not likely.

FIX?