Reformation of a user-interface from a cognitive science perspective

Abstract: Current computer-based medical systems used in health care, such as analysis programs, has evolved which has redirected the focus to creating user-interfaces based on cognitive theories, to enhance the usability for the end-user. Which cognitive science theories can be applied to interfaces of analysis programs, focusing on a search function of data, the settings of initial parameters and visual representation of data (in this study, programs specifically for motion detection) to optimize the usability for the end-user? This study has a total of 8 participants, who underwent 2 evaluations of MoLabTM, an analysis program. The evaluation consisted of an observation study followed by a semi-structured interview, consisting of 10 questions. After the first evaluation, the problems were compiled, hence 10 guidelines were raised based on numerous cognitive science theories. The guidelines were used to reform the current design of the analysis program and create a low-fidelity prototype. The low-fidelity prototype was later evaluated by 5 of the previous participants, which showed an experienced improvement of the usability of the analysis program. Afterwards a high-fidelity prototype was created. The results of this study show that by using cognitive science theories in analysis programs (focusing on search function of data, settings of initial parameters and visual representation of data), in the form of guidelines, optimizes the usability for the enduser. In further research, other parts of analysis programs or other programs can be investigated using the raised cognitive guidelines, to study if it optimizes the usability for the end-user.