Research Methods Flashcards
The 6 Elements of the Human-Machine System
Human (Perception->Cognition->Action) to System (Controls->Operation->Display)
Research: Consideration for use and Quest for fundamental understanding?
Use-inspired basic research (Pasteur)
Research: Consideration for use but no desire for fundamental understanding?
Pure applied research (Edison)
Research: No consideration for use but quest for fundamental understanding?
Pure basic research (Bohr)
3 Goals of Science
- Description, 2. Prediction, 3. Explanation/Understanding
Benefits of Theory
- Enables use to real-world problems, 2. Provides quantitative predictions, 3. Recognize relationships between problems, 4. Cheaply and effectively aid system design
Operationally-defined variables
A variable that is defined in terms of the operations or techniques that the researcher uses in order to measure or manipulate it.
Subject variables
Human characteristics (individual differences)
Construct validity
A measure of the of whether or not the experiment actually measures the intended construct
Ecological validity
Do the behaviors in the experiment reflect the real world?
Differential Research
Observe groups that are differentiated on the basis of some preexisting variable
Within subjects experiements
All participants receive all conditions, but have issues with carryover effects and practice/fatigue effects
Descriptive research
Acquire data about an event or phenomenon that cannot be controlled or replicated
Factors of “Usability”
"Learnability" Efficiency "Memorability" Error Rate Satisfaction
Achieving Usability (7 Principles)
Knowledge in the World + Head Simplify the Structure of Tasks Make Things Visible Get the Mapping Right Exploit the Power of Constraints Design for Error Standardize
