Chapter 1: Usability of Interactive Systems
Discussion Topics with Answers
1. Devise an outline, consistent with the scientific method, which interface
researchers should follow to validate their designs.
2. List some characteristics of successful user interface designers with respect to
their approach to solving UI problems
– Successful UI designers go beyond vague notions of “user friendliness”,
“intuitive”, and “natural” doing more than simply making checklists of
3. As noted in the book, some skeptics feel that accommodating diversity requires
dumbing-down or lowest-common-denominator strategies. However, the
authors claim that in their experience, rethinking interface designs to
accommodate these diversity situations will result in a better product for all
users. Give an example of a product that meets the specific needs of a certain
group of people, yet gives all users a better experience.
4. List several reasons why certain people resist using computers and suggest
possible ways to you can alleviate these concerns.
One could argue that a major limitation is the complexity of the interfaces
5. Suggest three usability measures that can be directly used to produce a
practical evaluation of a system. Keep the goals of efficiency and satisfaction in
mind with these measures.