Research methods for computer applications

Abstract

This paper identifies issues and techniques useful to psychologists interested in applied research forcomputer applications. Applied research includes guideline research, product developmentevaluation, and field trial evaluation. Suggestions for improved guideline research involve screening the problem to determine its potential usefulness and screening the design to make sure it involves sufficiently representative tasks, subjects, and materials for the desired generality. Product development evaluation requires techniques for testing users that are fast, flexible, and inexpensive, such as "user trials" of products in ergonomics and "user edits" for testing documentation. Field trials of office automation or videotex systems lead to decisions about further introduction of those systems. A methodology for planning the research component of field trials, "evaluation assessment," provides a set of steps to use in deciding which designandmeasures should becollected.