Situated Breakdown Analysis for the Evaluation of a Virtual Environment

摘要: It is a widely-supported tenet in human-computer interaction that the meaningful unit of analysis not technical device alone, but together with person interacting it; reason what relevant property technology only understandable respect to specific goals and resources activated during its usage. This basic reflection should also inspire procedure followed evaluate usability technology, namely efficiency satisfaction for class users. The topic this paper precisely describe method developed compliance observation aimed at evaluating virtual environments. Two main requirements were set forth: first, take strong connection between humans as building block, by linking environment particular use makes relevant. To goal, action has been placed center analysis; functional properties VE are then observed general economy users’ whole ensemble appropriate object evaluation. Such ‘action-based’ approach (Gamberini, Spagnolli, 2002) reminiscent Situated Action theory (Suchman, 1987) Activity Theory (Nardi, 1996); former proposes detailed sequential provides rich examination structure given it latter focuses more on phenomena, such contradictions breakdowns, identified evaluators; allows profit from data poor comments verbalizations, analyze structural organizational level. As second requisite method, we wanted benefit advantages both approaches; thus decided concentrate breakdowns occurring study these episodes situated point view. In our definition, reveal an inappropriate interpretation possibilities offered be analyzed their sequential, contextual unfolding. version breakdown highlights spontaneous, subjective problems connects them aspects action. renews ergonomic tradition error studies (Reason, 1990; Rasmussen, 1980) ethnographic contamination, pays attention contextualized practices. suits kind mostly made of, bodily three-dimensional space. Few methods characteristics have employed so far VE. After brief introduction, will basics illustrate instances evaluation library.