Touchscreen interfaces in context: A systematic review of research into touchscreens across settings, populations, and implementations

Abstract

Although many studies have been conducted on the human factors and ergonomics (HFE) of touchscreens, no comprehensive review has summarized the findings of these studies. Based on a schema (three dimensions of understanding critical for successful display selection) presented by Wickens et al. (2004), we identified three dimensions of analysis for touchscreen implementations: touchscreen technology, setting and environment of implementation, and user population. We conducted a systematic review based on the PRISMA protocol (Moher et al., 2009), searching five article databases for relevant quantitative literature on touchscreens. We found that all three dimensions of analysis have a significant effect on the HFE of touchscreens, and that a selection for or against touchscreens must take into consideration the specific context of system interaction in order to maximize safety, performance, and user satisfaction. Our report concludes with a set of specific recommendations for systems designers considering touchscreens as input/output devices, and suggestions for future study into the HFE of touchscreens.

Usability of a Novel Mobile Health iPad App by Vulnerable Populations

“…Touch-screen input mimics a user’s natural way of interacting with the world and requires less cognitive burden than manipulating external input devices [19]. Usability studies have demonstrated that older adults complete tasks more quickly and with less errors on touch-screen devices in comparison to using a computer mouse [20,21]. Moreover, novice and expert older users of touch-screen devices complete tasks with similar low error rates [22].…”

Future technology on the flight deck: assessing the use of touchscreens in vibration environments

“…The location of each device in relation to the user becomes an extremely important consideration; where increased levels of discomfort can arise where the user's arm needs to remain outstretched to interact with displays (Stanton et al, 2013, Shin andZhu, 2011;Wang and Trasbot, 2011;Dul and Weerdmeester, 2001). Orphanides and Nam (2017) recently performed the first review of studies that evaluated touchscreen interfaces with respect to their Human Factors and Ergonomic capabilities. They identified that selection for or against the use of touchscreens must take into account context of use to maximise safety, performance and user satisfaction.…”

“…These were drawn from Wickens et al, (2004) who identified these factors as key dimensions in display development and selection. One of the review criteria set by Orphanides and Nam (2017) in their assessment of the task dimension of touch screen use was the specific environments within which the touchscreen would enable the task to function. The review identified the use of touch screens in the road environment, extraneous moving environments, medical and other environments (i.e.…”

“…This is an especially important consideration with predicted changes to climate in the coming years, where turbulence during flights is predicted to increase (Williams, 2017). Within the review conducted by Orphanides and Nam (2017), it was identified that extraneous environments are a key determinant of touchscreen ease of use and the corresponding performance of tasks that use touchscreen inputs. While they did not identify any studies that assessed conditions reflecting aircraft turbulence, numerous studies have explored the use of touchscreens in other environments with unwanted movements.…”

User Evaluation of the Smartphone Screen Reader VoiceOver with Visually Disabled Participants

“…Since the last decade, touchscreen technology has been increasingly used not only across multiple types of devices, such as smartphones and tablets [1][2][3], but also in photocopying machines, automated teller machines (ATMs), and ticket machines in bus, railway stations, and airports. Reviews from the perspective of human factors and ergonomics and studies of people with developmental disabilities pointed out the relevance of the specific context of system interaction in order to maximize safety, performance, and user satisfaction [4] and the need for more research [5]. Touchscreens require the use of fingers and a choreography of gestures for interaction between the user and the device's user interface (UI) [6,7].…”