Chapter #4 Scientific Foundations

Question 1

Experimentation

Answer 1

often referred to as a user study, an experiment.

Question 2

Research

Answer 2

Investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, the revision of accepted theories or laws in light of new facts.

Question 3

Facts

Answer 3

Evidence, used to test hypotheses

Question 4

Theory

Answer 4

A hypothesis built on principles assumed for argument sake to explain a phenomena

Question 5

Law

Answer 5

Formal constraining guideline that must be followed.

Question 6

Fitts Law:

Answer 6

It isn’t a law but a model, is a behavioural predictive and descriptive model of human motor behaviour.

Question 7

Patent

Answer 7

A publication the explains in detail how the invention is made and its functionality, but it is owned by the researcher or company that made the patent. Hence other peoples can use this patent if bought or granted.

Question 8

H index

Answer 8

a measure of the impact of a researcher, is how many times their work is cited by other researchers, a good score is n years after phd =< x citations.

n publications = n citations for the h-index

Question 9

Form Vs function

Answer 9

Form is more design oriented and Function is more engineering oriented

Question 10

Empirical Research

Answer 10

Based on observational or experience. Research based on this. Or research verified or disproved by observation or experiment.

Question 11

Observational Method

Answer 11

Focuses on qualitative assessments, interviews, case studies, usability evaluation. This is the research within the natural setting of peoples homes, letting them naturally be a part of the experiment. Low precision

Question 12

Correlational Method

Answer 12

Non experimental, uses questionnaires and interviews. Goal of finding relationships but IMPOSSIBLE to do cause and effect. Balance of precision

Question 13

Experimental Method:

Answer 13

Controlled experiment in a laboratory setting, with independent and dependent variables. Focuses on quantitative data, and cause and effect conclusions. High precisions

Question 14

Theoretical Research

Answer 14

A logical exploration of a system of beliefs and assumptions, exploring the inherent structure and relationships of phenomena in the physical world.

Question 15

User Study:

Answer 15

(Isn’t it the make up a person thing)
is an experiment with human participants

Question 16

Usability Evaluation:

Answer 16

(This I think might be the just give person instructions and they test out the product without assistance)

Question 17

Nominal Data

Answer 17

Categorical data that has arbitrary codes. Ex Gender, job title,student id.

Question 18

Ordinal Data

Answer 18

Data that associates a order or rank to an attribute

Question 19

Interval Data

Answer 19

Equal distances between adjacent values, similar to Ordinal data, but does not have a 0 option

Ex Likert scale, strongly disagree, disagree, etc…. (there can be a neutral)

Question 20

Ratio Data:

Answer 20

Takes the ratio of a data set, usually with counts and provides the ratio (not 100% sure)
Ex: From Test #1 to Test #2 40% more people got an A

Question 21

Research questions are best when

Answer 21

The more direct the question the better. More Interval validity, but least external validity.

Question 22

Internal Validity

Answer 22

The extent to which the effects observed are due to the test conditions. (Basically How much of the data gathered is due to test conditions)(More about in a lab setting)

Question 23

External Validity:

Answer 23

The extent to which results are generalizable to other people and other situations. (Basically how much of the data gathered is due to real world setting and situations)(More about in a real world setting)

Question 24

Ecological Validity:

Answer 24

Methodology used similar to that in the real world, similar to External validity but this is only on method, not the outcome.

Question 25

Correlational methods, imply:

Answer 25

imply circumstantial relationships

Question 26

Experimental methods, imply:

Answer 26

imply causal relationships