29 Jan Mechanics of writing

Usability Assessment

Graded Assignment #3

Guidelines & Grading Rubric

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to

· recognize the role of usability considerations in the design, use, and acceptance of technology;

· identify features that impact usability; and

· weigh the advantages of different usability-assessment methods.

Due Date: Submit to the Dropbox basket by Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 6.

Total points: 125

Requirements

Select a software application, preferably an information system that you currently use in your work setting, to assess usability. You may personally test the application or solicit the participation of another party. You have the option to do one of the following:

1) Address a list of questions that you create or adopt from a source that you will identify.

2) Ask another party, via guided discussion, to assess the usability of the specified function/information system.

3) Observe a user completing the identified function, noting the length of time required for completion, any obstacles, and at the conclusion of the task, ask for an impression on usability/issues. An example of a usability tool is included as an Appendix in the Lowry et al. (2012) reference on customized templates.

If you do not currently have access to an automated system, then speak with your instructor to determine a mutually agreeable alternative.

Lowry, S. Z., Quinn, M. T., Ramaiah, M., Schumacher, R. M., Patterson, E. S., North, R., Zhang, J., Gibbons, M. C., & Abbott, P. (2012). Technical evaluation, testing and validation of the usability of electronic health records. Retrieved from http://www.nist.gov/healthcare/usability/upload/EUP_WERB_Version_2_23_12-Final-2.pdf

Preparing the Paper

1. Required texts may be used as additional references.

2. All aspects of the paper must be in APA format as expressed in the 6th edition.

3. The paper (excluding the title page and reference page) should not be longer than 5 pages.

4. Ideas and information from professional sources must be cited correctly.

5. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, format of the text, and citations are consistent with formal academic writing and APA.

6. Minimum number of scholarly references is: three (3).

Category

Points

%

Description

Introduction

20

17

Introduction presents the topic of usability assessment.

Background on function/information system assessed

22

17

Provides detailed information on the function/information system assessed for usability that includes its purpose and approximate length of time that the function/information system has been available in its present format and student familiarity with the application used.

Method of assessment

22

17

Assessment method used and problems, or potential problems, identified.

Evidence-based recommendations

21

17

Provides evidence-based recommendations to resolve each problem identified.

Conclusion

21

17

Concluding statements summarize insights gained during the assignment.

APA format

6

5

Text, title page, and reference page(s) are consistent with APA format.

References and citations

6

5

Ideas and information from other sources are cited correctly.

Mechanics of writing

7

5

Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are consistent with formal written work.

125

100

A quality assignment will meet or exceed all of the above requirements.