CMSC434:  Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

Exam #1 – September 30, 2004

Exam is closed book, closed notes, 75 minutes—Total points: 100

(Please write legibly! Your grader appreciates it!)

 

For the following questions (1-4), clearly write the letter of your answer in your test booklet.

 

1. After task analysis has been completed, the designer must choose an interaction style for the interface.  Which of the following is the interaction style when a designer creates a visual representation of the world of action?  (2 points)

A.     Command language

B.     Natural language

C.     Menu selection

D.     Direct manipulation

E.      Form fill-in

 

2. One goal in requirements analysis is to ensure proper reliability.  However, which of the following is not a responsibility of the human interface designer? (2 points)

  1. Actions must function correctly
  2. Displayed data must reflect the database contents
  3. The software architecture, hardware components, and network support must ensure high availability
  4. Ensure privacy, security and data integrity
  5. All of the above are responsibilities of the designer

 

3. Suppose you are developing a new word processor that boasts more features than any of its competition. What would be the best way for intermittent users to remember all of the commands?  (2 points)

  1. Provide detailed on-line help documentation, so the user can look up commands
  2. Provide visual cues, icons, menus, and dialog boxes
  3. Allow user to specify commands in their natural language

 

4. Which of the following is a development methodology that helps by offering a validated process with predictable schedules and meaningful deliveries? (2 points)

  1. The Object-Action Interface Model
  2. LUCID
  3. GOMS
  4. Knowledge Navigator

 

5. The company, 3L Corp, is redesigning a web site for elderly patients that will allow them to compare the prices of a specific drug at local pharmacies.  The web site makes the user type in the full drug name and the user’s complete address and it gives the user no control over which stores are queried.

a)   The 3L Corp is trying to decide between a conducting a controlled experiment and a usability test.  Compare these evaluation methods and their merits in this situation. Be sure to list at least one pro and one con for each method in relation to the situation.  (9 points)

b)   Design a usability test to guide a redesign of the web site.  You are given a month and $25,000 for the project.  Which type of usability test should be used?  Describe the phases and provide details on how you would conduct the study.  Be sure to include the tasks to be done for each phase. (18 points)

c)   Briefly describe the GOMS model and why it is not appropriate for this situation. (6 points)

d)   Since universal usability is such an important consideration in this project, describe three ways in which you will implement the website to support universal usability.  Not all of your target users may have full use of their facilities.  So, don’t forget to  think of alternative ways of accessing the web site or of displaying the information.  (6 points)

 

6. How does the outcome of a usability test differ from the outcome of a controlled study? (6 points)

 

7.Name and describe the four E’s used in guidelines documentation.  . For each, give an example of how it can be applied in dealing with blind users of Web pages on the Internet. (12 points)

 

8. What are three advantages of direct manipulation? And give an example of each. (9 points)

 

9.

 

a)      Describe three design flaws with the above interface. (6 points)

b)      Name two of the Eight Golden Rules that have been violated by this interface.  Give a brief explanation of those rules and how they were violated. (6 points)

c)      Name two other rules of the Eight Golden Rules and give a brief explanation of each. (4 points)

 

10. There are four software layers that can be used to build a user interface and their associated interactive tools.  Name the layer that is the best one to use for the task described.  Explain why that layer is the best choice.. (10 points, 2 points each)

b)      Which layer allows you to build the whole application for a general domain?

c)      Which layer allows you to build the application very quickly? (two possible answers, give one)

d)      Which layer allows you to learn the tool the quickest?

e)      Which layer is the best one to use if you will be extending the application after its initial build?

f)        Which layer is the best one to use if you want to communicate with several different resources, such as the internet and a local file system.?