Measuring the Effectiveness of Designing End-User Interfaces Using Design Theories

Abstract

Software systems are one of the most important technologies that are present in every task that humans and computers perform. Humans perform their tasks by using a computer interface. However, because many developers have not been exposed to one or more courses on Human Computer Interaction (HCI), they sometimes create software using their own preferences based on their skills and abilities and do not consult theories that could help them produce better outcomes. A study was carried out to identity whether software that is developed by using Gestalt Theory combined with interface development principles produces better outcomes compared to software developed using developers' current skills. Results show that participants perceived the system that was developed by a team that had been given training about Gestalt Theory and design guidelines had superior perceived quality compared to another team that did not receive the training. However, results should be taken cautiously.