The human-computer interface in commercial systems : Investigations of dialogue design factors and usability with alphanumeric display terminals

Sammanfattning: When terminal based computer systems are incorporated in administrative processes, man-computer interface technology for many reasons becomes a crucial problem area. Terminal users ("terminalists") in such systems account for a vast number of terminal hours. These people are not computer specialists and they have steadily increasing demands on working conditions and salaries. Little is known about especially psychological man-machine matching. A wide systems view including qualities of both man and machine is needed to create usable, acceptable and efficient systems.



The present project included field investigations and controlled experimentation. The former activities gave information on practical systems, such as their characteristics and experienced problems related to man-computer cooperation. The latter activities gave concrete, new knowledge on a number of design properties of man-computer dialogues, related to different criteria. Information on the experimental method as such and on certain man-computer dialogue related characteristics of controlled variables were also obtained. A special result is that the design of the man-computer dialogue seems to be at least as important for terminalist performance and satisfaction as the design of the physical work environment.



Results are expected to be general enough to be practically useful when designing administrative systems. They can vitalize criterion discussions.



Controlled experimentation, suitably adapted, is claimed to be a valuable technique in the discusssed problem environment