Requirement Analysis and Design of an Internet Portal for Intervention Studies

Abstract: The evolution of technology has made it possible to provide Internet interventions to reduce unwanted symptoms of psychological distress and improve patients’ health. However, Internet interventions are complex and consist of several components that need to function in order to make interventions successful. One component is the interface of the platform where the interventions are created, delivered and evaluated. The platform needs to be designed for the users and the focus should be on the utility in order for the interventions to be successful. The strategic research programme U-CARE at Uppsala University has developed a platform, the U-CARE Portal, to deliver and evaluate interventions via the Internet. The task of designing the intervention studies on the Portal was perceived by the users to be difficult. The users often needed support in order to perform the task correctly. The aim of the thesis was to perform a requirement analysis in order to get an understanding on how to improve the interface of the study design, and then use the requirements in a design proposal for a more intuitive redesign. Four users designed test studies on the Portal during interviews. The material from the interviews formed the basis of the requirements, which were fulfilled with different design solutions in a design proposal. It was then modified through three iterations where the users commented on a paper prototype of the design.