Initiating and Replicating the Observations of Interactional Properties by User Studies Optimizing Applicative Prototypes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a formalized method for observing and replicating interactional properties in human-computer interaction, enabling better optimization of prototypes and advancing the empirical science of user interactions.

Contribution

It proposes a formalization of user interaction observations and a method called interaction loop diffraction, facilitating replication and systematic study of interactional properties across diverse conditions.

Findings

Interactional properties can be reliably replicated across different prototypes and user profiles.

The method supports the optimization of applicative prototypes through empirical observation.

Publication of case studies will contribute to a scientific catalog of interactional properties.

Abstract

The science of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) is populated by isolated empirical findings, often tied to specific technologies, designs, and tasks. This paper proposes a formalization of user interaction observations (instead of user interfaces) and an associated revealing method (interaction loop diffraction). The resulting interactional properties that are studied in a calibrated manner, are well suited to replication across various conditions (prototypes, technologies, tasks, and user profiles). In particular, interactional properties can emerge and be replicated within the workflow of applicative cases, which in return benefit from the optimization of applicative prototypes. Applicative cases' publications will then contribute to demonstrating technology utility, along with providing empirical results that will lead future work to theory consolidation and theory building, and finally to a catalog and a science of relevant interactional properties. These properties will contribute to better user interactions, especially for the variety of ubiquitous user interfaces.