User Interfaces in Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry : a Case Study at Stockholm University

Abstract: This thesis presents the issue of user interfaces in Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), the difficulties in their use, and what we think could be done to alleviate these difficulties. The project came about as a result of complaints from students at a chemistry laboratory in Uppsala. Case studies of the laboratories in Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet were made in the form of interviews, questionnaires, on-site visits, and literature studies. Combining this work with our knowledge in computer science and visualization, we investigate the ramifications of user interface problems in this area as well as our proposition for solving them. Our study showed that there are unaddressed issues with interface usability and the handling of user feedback, and that there is a need both for further research and bolstered efforts to alleviate these issues.