AJ Brush: Pervasive Computing User Studies

Abstract: Pervasive computing weaves computing into our everyday environments and devices, necessitating an understanding of people's needs and reactions to new technology. The field of human computer interaction (HCI), drawing from other fields including psychology and anthropology, has developed numerous approaches to understanding how people interact with technology. These methods include user studies, focus groups, ethnography, and heuristic evaluations. In an interactive session, this tutorial will provide an introduction to different kinds of user studies with a focus on lab and field studies. The tutorial will discuss how to choose the appropriate study for your research question, practical matters in planning studies, and techniques for analyzing and presenting data collected during user studies. Drawing on examples, the tutorial will also highlight mistakes to avoid and characteristics of successful user studies.