Improving usability evaluation by automating a standardized usability questionnaire

Abstract

Usability is one of the factors that determines the success of a software system. Aiming to improve it’s usability, it is necessary to evaluate the interfaces using scientific evaluation methods, like questionnaires. Often the results of these evaluations are different when performed by different interface designers, indicating lack of sistematicity of evaluation results. Questionnaires can be automated to support usability evaluation, facilitating the collection and summarization of data. This paper analyzes the automating possibility of a standardized usability questionnaire for further automation. A bibliographical research was carried out about Human-Computer Interaction concepts, usability, usability evaluation methods (including questionnaires) and automation. A systematic review was conducted to identify automated usability questionnaires. The Post-Study Systems Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) was chosen to be automated because it is small, free and highly reliable. Analysis of the users and specification of the system requirements and architecture were made.