Designing & Testing Information Systems Notes

Information Systems Design & Development:Purpose, features functionality, users & Testing

ContentsUsers & Purpose

Questions

Design Questions

Testing Questions

Users of an Information System

The users of an information system are the people who interact with that system.

When designing an information system it is important to take account of who the users are. This will enable the information system to account for the specific needs and preferences of the user

Users can be categorised in a number of different ways.

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Novice UsersNovice users are new to an information system and do not have much experience in using it. Novice users may not have much experience of using computers in general.

Novice users need simplified user interfaces and features such as wizards to help them complete tasks on an information system.

A wizard is a type of user interface that leads the user through the task as a series of well defined steps. The user is usually offered options at each stage of the wizard.

Expert UsersExpert users are very experienced in using the system. They often have significant experience in using computers generally.

Expert users often make use of the advanced features that give them greater control over the content and appearance of what they are doing.

Age RangeThe age of the expected user of an information system is important.

By changing the content and presentation of information for different age groups, an information system can make it easier for those users to understand the information.

For example, young users might benefit from more colourful and interactive presentation, with an interface designed for novice users

Two different BBC news websites for different age ranges, note the difference in presentation and content.

Information System PurposeThe purpose of an information system is the reason for which it exists and what it can be used to do.

You will be required to describe the purpose of an information system in depth, providing detail of what it does.

Google Maps is an information system that provides the user with satellite and street view maps of the entire world.

It also provides street level pictures of many of its maps. It can be used for navigation and produces directions for travelling by car, on foot and using public transport.

Questions – Users & Purpose

Answer questions in full sentences!1. Who are the users?2. Describe the differences between novice and

expert users.3. Explain what a wizard is, and why novice users

might make use of one.4. Describe how the expected age range of users

might affect the design of an information system.5. What is meant by the purpose of an information

system?6. Describe the purpose of Facebook. Make sure you

describe the purpose in detail.7. Choose two other information systems or websites

that you know and describe their purpose.

Designing Information Systems – The Target AudienceThe target audience is the group of users who are the intended users for an information system.

You have to consider what type of users make up the target audience. Their needs and preferences will affect the design of the information system.

Sometimes an information system is designed with specific target audiences in mind. On others an information system might have a specific purpose and the designers will have to identify the target audience.

User Interface design factorsVisual Layout:The visual layout is how elements are placed on the screen. The layout should:

Look appealing to users Avoid cluttering or overloading the interface Have a balance of different media Consider the target audience

Interactivity:Interactivity is when the information system responds to what the user does. Interactivity has to be considered in the following ways:

What level of interactivity will be present How information will be reported to the user Dialogue and error reporting

Navigation:The user must be able to navigate between the screens / pages of the information system. Some navigation elements, such as browser buttons and database objects lists may be available without being included in the design. Other navigation elements include:

Hyperlinks Hotspots Buttons and other controls Menus Search bars

Navigation should always be simple to understand and use

Selection:Selection refers to the methods by which the user can input into the information system. Ideally the input method should be chosen to minimise the risk of errors when entering data. Input methods include:

Text entry Menu selection Radio button Checkboxes

Readability:Readability is the ease with which text information can be read and understood. Readability is affected by colour schemes, font choices and layout.

Consistency:A user interface is consistent if it looks and behaves in the same way throughout itself. A consistent user interface is easier to use as the users can make assumptions about how to use it.

Accessibility:Accessibility refers to whether or not an information can be used by people of all abilities and disabilities. Additionally, the device used by the user may affect how they can access an information system.

Accessibility concerns are very important on websites as they are public available and can be accessed on phones, tablet computers, laptops and desktops

WireframesCreating wireframes is a method of designing the user interface of an information system. A wireframe is a sketch that shows the position of different elements on a screen / page.

Wireframes don’t have any functionality, they just show how the interface s going to appear.

Wireframes are useful for showing how the navigation of an information system is going to work, giving an idea of how the content is going to be laid out and showing how the user will interact with the system.

Questions – Designing Information SystemsAnswer questions in full sentences!1. What is meant by the term target audience?2. List seven factors that have to be considered when designing a user

interface.3. What is meant by a wireframe and what are they used for.4. Explain two elements of interface design that are shown in a wireframe.5. Using the table below, describe in detail the following websites

www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebieswww.sqa.org.uk

Another website of your own choice

Purpose

Range & Type of User

Visual Layout

Interactivity

Navigation

Selection

Consistency

Readability

TestingThe process of testing software is undertaken to ensure that it is developed to be bug and error free, fit for purpose and sufficiently usable.

The initial phase of testing, sometimes called alpha testing is undertaken by the developers themselves. Sometimes third party quality assurance specialists will be hired to alpha test as well.

This testing is often functional – it is designed to check that certain features of the software work. Usually specific test data is used to determine if the software produces the correct results.

This is the type of testing you will have carried out on work you have produced in class.

Beta TestingIn the beta testing phase of testing, a piece of software is tested by many users selected from the target audience or chosen to be similar to the target audience.

Unlike other phases of testing, Beta testers are chosen from outwith the software developers. This gives an outsider’s view on the quality of the software.

Specific test data is not used in beta testing. Instead the goal is to simulate the typical usage of the software. Beta testers will typically be expected to report any bugs they find, and whether or not they feel the software is fit for purpose.

Usability TestingUsability testing is a way of measuring how users interact with an information system or other piece of software. Usability testing is carried out by observing a typical user carry out tasks with the software.

For example, a usability test of an email client might be carried out by asking a user to send an email with an attachment.

By observing the user attempt the task, developers can gain insights into how people interact with the interface they have developed. Oversights and assumptions about users can be identified and corrected.

Methods of Usability TestingThinking aloud:In thinking aloud, the user is asked to say whatever they are doing and feeling as they go about their task. The user’s though processes can then be recorded

Co-discovery:With co-discovery usability testing, two users attempt the task together and are encouraged to help and explain to each other what they are doing. This is more naturalistic for the testers than thinking aloud.

Eye Tracking:Eye tracking is when the movement and focus of the user’s eyes is recorded. This enables the developers to see which part of the screen the user is paying attention to. The layout and navigability of an interface can be assessed in this manner.

Questions – TestingAnswer questions in full sentences!1. What is meant by beta testing?2. What issues might be encountered by a

beta tester?3. Give two reasons why it is important to

carry out beta testing in addition to in house testing.

4. What is usability testing?5. Why is it important to carry out usability

testing?6. Explain three methods of usability testing

in detail.