Participant Vocabulary Use and Selection Differences in Serial Versus Parallel Presentation of Product Reaction Cards

This study looks at the effects on users’ choices when presented with Product Reaction Cards (PRC) in parallel and sequential order. Participants were given brief tasks on two websites and presented with PRC in parallel or sequential order to describe their sentiments. We found that participants selected 25% more words in the sequential condition, including the selection of more positive words (23%). However, the sequential condition took on average 5 minutes longer to complete word selection. Therefore, it is important to understand that the PRC presentation modality can affect the quantity and the choice of vocabulary used by participants.

Guidance for Best Practices in Participatory Design Involving People with Visual Impairment

Today, a great number of people with visual impairment take advantage of mainstream technology via assistive technology. User involvement in the systems development life cycle contributes to addressing user needs accurately. This article presents practical strategies to facilitate participatory design approaches involving users with visual impairment. Both researchers and professional designers will benefit these practical strategies by using them as action checklists for preparing, conducting, and concluding a participatory design session ethically and responsibly.

Integrating User-Centered Design Into the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative’s Personal Exposure Reporter

Firefighters are potentially exposed to many carcinogens in their work. Collection of occupational hazard exposure data offers firefighters greater awareness of their health and wellness and analysis of the data provides researchers opportunities to identify firefighters’ specific health risks. The University of Miami’s Firefighters’ Cancer Initiative conducted user-centered design research with 450 Florida firefighters to develop and implement the Personal Exposure Reporter system for firefighters. Responses after product launch suggest that the system is well received and allows firefighters to successfully submit incident exposure information. The Personal Exposure Reporter will help both firefighters and cancer researchers better understand and address cancer risks.

How Women and Men Pee: Assessing Gender-Specific Urination Practices for a Comfortable Toilet Experience

NoMix toilets separate urine and feces at the source and are a promising resource recovery technology. However, design issues hamper the transformation from unattractive to aspirational products. Little effort has been done to design toilets that account for physiological differences, leading to adverse effects on user-friendliness and urine separation efficiency. We used infrared recordings to assess gender-specific urination practices. Based on field data, we developed the Urinator, a simple device that allows simulating male and female urine streams. This supports engineers in developing more user- and gender-friendly and reuse-oriented sanitation technologies.

A Human Factors Evaluation of a Screening System for Diabetic Retinopathy Centered in Psychological Theory

People with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of blindness. Early treatment can preserve sight; however, screening rates are low. We utilized psychological theories of motivation in tandem with human factors tools such as heuristic evaluation and task analysis to develop interventions to improve screening rates at a single clinic. Interventions addressed the system of screening, from the patients and their choices to clinic workers, device usability, and the clinic environment. Findings showed potential solutions to the screening issue situated within the theory of planned behavior. Future steps are to refine interventions and measure effectiveness.