Human Computer Interaction Research in the MIS Discipline HCI Panel AMCIS ’02 Dr. Jane M. Carey

Definition of HCI “Human Factors in IS (HCI) is the scientific study of the interaction between people, computers, and the work environment. The knowledge gained from this study is used to create information systems and work environments which help to make people more productive and more satisfied with their work life.” (Beard & Peterson, 1988) Consensus definition from the HFIS Symposia series

Mason & Mitroff (1983)- MIS Relational Triad Decision Making Environment Human Characteristics Informational Attributes Man/Machine Interface Cognitive style Psychological type Communication skills Informational needs User experience User attitude Organizational context Problem type Leadership style of org Hierarchical level of DM Uncertainty & risk Scope,Timeliness Mode of presentation, Horizon, Accuracy Format, Value

Huber, Management Science 1983 “Cognitive Style as a basis for MIS and DSS designs: Much ado about nothing?” This article had a dampening effect on studying human computer interaction due to the prestige of Management Science and the limited means available to measure cognitive style at the time At the time, most MIS researchers studying human/computer interaction used Myers/Briggs type indicator to measure CS

Referent Disciplines for HCI Management Theory Psychology MIS/Computer Science Human Factors Engineering – Ergonomics Organizational Behavior

HFIS Symposia Series ( ) Models of HCI USER IS Professional Computer Organization Human/Computer Interaction Information Presentation Interface Specification Tools System/User Communication (Documentation) End User Involvement

A Model of HCI Long & Whitfield (1989) Real World Science Support Representations People Computers Other + + Intermediary Representations Acquisition Representation Acquisition Representation Human Science Computer Science Other Science Analyze Generalize Particularize Synthesize

Research Agenda for HCI Lewis (1990) 1. Understand user goals and preferences (interface design theory) 2. Broaden applied cognitive theory (problem representation) 3. Support innovation (technology to support interface design) 4. Credit assignment (measure the impact of interface design on performance)

HCI Independent & Dependent Variables IndependentDependent User/AnalystInterface Characteristics Performance 1.Indirect A. Aptitude B. Attitude C. Decision Style 1. Content1.Decision Effectiveness A. Accuracy B. Timeliness C. Quality D. Confidence 2. Direct A. Training B. Experience C. Involvement 2. Form2. Satisfaction 3. Decision Setting A. Task B. Management Level C. Uncertainty D. Timeliness E. Structuredness F. Context 3. Presentation3. Learning A. Ease B. Time 4. Media4. System Responsiveness 5. Context5. Speed of use 6. Error rate

Measurement Issues in HCI Newsted, Todd, & Zmud, 1997 Theories require constructs & constructs require measurement, therefore no theory without measurement Definitional concerns (conceptual ambiguity and conceptual overlap) Concerns with construct-context interaction (such as the tight construct-context linkage in task performance) Zmud & Boynton criteria for instrumentation Multiple-item scale Ability to find and use an instrument Description in refereed source Assessment of psychometric properties Classifying measures Outcome versus process measures Perceptual versus behavioral measures Obtrusive versus non-obtrusive measures Qualitative versus Quantitative measures

Instrument validation for experimentation Construct validation Manipulation & measurement Covariate measurement Experimenter effects Online data capture Conclusion – HCI measures are improving, but have a long way to go Measurement Issues in HCI Newsted, Todd, & Zmud, 1997