Abstract
Mobile learning or m-learning is novel learning medium, and consequently, there is a lot of research required to design usable m-learning applications. With the advent of new m-learning applications and their indulgence in imparting education, it poses new usability challenges. M-learning has to be investigated from various perspectives for its effectiveness and efficiency. So to have an effective and usable m-learning application, it is quintessential to discover an appropriate set of usability evaluation methods [UEMs] to evaluate the usability of m-learning application. For the aforesaid purpose, an evidence-based study of UEMs is carried out in this paper to compare and then assess different UEMs. To bridge the gaps between research evidence and software development practices and to avoid expensive and ineffective decision making during application development, an evidence-based approach is suggested by [1, 2]. Evidence-based study is the process of systematically finding, evaluating, and using contemporary research conclusions as the basis for decision making. An evidence-based study is required before the adoption of UEM/UEMs because sufficient evidences should be gathered as a decision factor before testing an application. This study presents an empirical analysis for selecting effectual UEM(s) for a set of mobile learning applications using evidence-based approach [EBA].
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Dybå, T., Bergersen, G.R., Sjøberg, D.I.K.: Evidence-based software engineering. In: Perspectives on Data Science for Software Engineering, pp. 149–153 (2016)
Kitchenham, B., Charters, S.M.: Guidelines for Performing Systematic Literature Reviews in Software Engineering (2007)
Vatankhah, N., Wei, K.T., Letchmunan, S.: Usability measurement of Malaysian online tourism websites. Int. J. Softw. Eng. Appl. 8(12), 1–18 (2014)
Paz, F., Pow-Sang, J.A.: A systematic mapping review of usability evaluation methods for software development process. Int. J. Softw. Eng. Appl. 10(1), 165–178 (2016)
Schubert, D., Mühlstedt, J., Bullinger, A.C.: Usability assessment of medical devices from a user perspective: results of a focus group discussion. In: Challenges and Opportunities in Health Care Management, pp. 223–235. Springer, Cham (2015)
Ardito, C., De Marsico, M., Lanzilotti, R., Levialdi, S., Roselli, T., Rossano, V., Tersigni, M.: Usability of E-learning tools. In: Ai’04, pp. 80–84 (2004)
Salvador, C., Nakasone, A., Pow-Sang, J.A.: A systematic review of usability techniques in agile methodologies. In: Proceedings of the 7th Euro American Conference on Telematics and Information Systems, p. 17. ACM (2014)
Fenton, N., Pfleeger, S.L.: Software metrics: a rigorous and practical approach. International Thomson Computer Press (2nd edn.) (1994)
Mathur, P., Chande, S.V.: Usability testing methods for mobile learning applications. Int. J. Comput. Sci. Mob. Appl. 5(10), 1–9 (2017)
Petticrew, M., Roberts, H.: Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. In Blackwell Publishing (2006)
Nayebi, F., Desharnais, J.M., Abran, A.: The state of the art of mobile application usability evaluation. In: 2012 25th IEEE Canadian Conference on Electrical & Computer Engineering (CCECE), pp. 1–4. IEEE (2012)
Ji, Y.G., Park, J.H., Lee, C., Yun, M.H.: A usability checklist for the usability evaluation of mobile phone user interface. Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Interact. 20(3), 207–231 (2006)
Harrison, R., Flood, D., Duce, D.: Usability of mobile applications: literature review and rationale for a new usability model. J. Interact. Sci. 1(1), 1 (2013)
Dirin, A., Laine, T.H.: User experience in mobile augmented reality: emotions, challenges. Opport. Best Pract. Comput. 7(2), 33 (2018)
Marwan, M.E., Madar, A.R., Fuad, N.: Development of Mobile EEF learning system (MEEFLS) for mobile learning implementation in Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM). Development 1, 6183 (2014)
Wang, M., Ng, J.W.P.: Intelligent mobile cloud education: smart anytime-anywhere learning for the next generation campus environment. In: 8th International Conference on Intelligent Environments (IE), pp. 149–156 (2012)
Malik, M.U., Nasir, H., Javed, A.: An efficient objective quality model for agile application development. Int. J. Comput. Appl. 85(8) (2014)
Wu, W.H., Jim Wu, Y.C., Chen, C.Y., Kao, H.Y., Lin, C.H., Huang, S.H.: Review of trends from mobile learning studies: a meta-analysis. Comput. Educat. 59, 2, 817–827 (2012)
Mahenge, M.P., Mwangoka, J.W.: Mobile-based system for cost-effective e-learning contents delivery in resource and bandwidth constrained learning environments. Knowl. Manag. E-Learn. 6(4), 449 (2014)
Furió, D., GonzáLez-Gancedo, S., Juan, M.C., SeguÃ, I., Rando, N.: Evaluation of learning outcomes using an educational iPhone game vs. traditional game. Comput. Educ. 64, 1–23 (2013)
Wang, M., Vogel, D., Ran, W.: Creating a performance-oriented e-learning environment: a design science approach. Inf. Manag. 48(7), 260–269 (2011)
Solano, A., Collazos, C.A., Rusu, C., Fardoun, H.M.: Combinations of methods for collaborative evaluation of the usability of interactive software systems. Advanc. Human-Comput. Interact. (2016)
AlRoobaea, R.S., Al-Badi, A.H., Mayhew, P.J.: A framework for generating a domain specific inspection evaluation method: A comparative study on social networking websites. In: Science and Information Conference (SAI), pp. 757–767. IEEE (2013)
Garcia-Cabot, A., de-Marcos, L., Garcia-Lopez, E.: An empirical study on m-learning adaptation: Learning performance and learning contexts. Comput. Educ. 82, 450–459 (2015)
Kearney, M., Maher, D.: Mobile learning in maths teacher education: using iPads to support pre-service teachers professional development. Austr. Educat. Comput. 27(3), 76–84 (2013)
Hussain, A., Mkpojiogu, E.O., Mortada, S., Yue, W.S.: Mobile experience evaluation of an e-Reader app. J. Telecommun. Electr. Comput. Eng. (JTEC), 10(1–10), 11–15
Katy, H.M.: Measuring usability for application software using the quality in use integration measurement model (Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia)
Muñoz-Cristóbal, J.A., RodrÃguez-Triana, M.J., Gallego-Lema, V., Arribas-Cubero, H.F., Asensio-Pérez, J.I., MartÃnez- Monés, A.: Monitoring for awareness and reflection in ubiquitous learning environments. Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Interact. 34(2), 146–165 (2018)
Paz, F., Pow-Sang, J.A., Collazos, C.: Validation of a Usability Evaluation Protocol based on the Heuristic Inspection Method: An Experimental Case Study in the Web Domain (2016)
Hussein, I., Mahmud, M., Tap, M., Osman, A. (2012). User Experience Design (UXD): A survey of user interface development practices in Malaysia
Billi, M., Burzagli, L., Catarci, T., Santucci, G., Bertini, E., Gabbanini, F., Palchetti, E.: A unified methodology for the evaluation of accessibility and usability of mobile applications. Univ. Access Inf. Soc. 9(4), 337–356 (2010)
Navarro, C.X., Molina, A.I., Redondo, M.A., Juárez-RamÃrez, R.: Framework to evaluate M-learning systems: a technological and pedagogical approach. IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologias del Aprendizaje 11(1), 33–40 (2016)
Emang, D.W.A.B., Lukman, R.N.I.R., Kamarulzaman, M.I.S., Zaaba, Z.F.: Usability studies on e- learning platforms: Preliminary study in USM. In: AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 1891, no. 1, p. 020040. AIP Publishing (2018)
Fiotakis, G., Raptis, D., Avouris, N.: Considering cost in usability evaluation of mobile applications: who, where and when. In: IFIP Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, pp. 231–234. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg (2009, August)
Fredrikson, R.: Emulating a Native Mobile Experience with Cross-platform Applications (2018)
Hussain, A., Mkpojiogu, E.O., Musa, J.A., Mortada, S.: A user experience evaluation of Amazon Kindle mobile application. In: AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 1891, no. 1, pp. 020–060 (2017, October)
Nguyen, N., Muilu, T., Dirin, A., Alamäki, A.: An interactive and augmented learning concept for orientation week in higher education. Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ. 15(1), 35 (2018)
Palalas, A., Wark, N.: Design principles for an adult literacy mobile learning solution. In: Proceedings of the 16th World Conference on Mobile and Contextual Learning, p. 27. ACM (2017, October)
Vukovac, D.P., Kirinic, V., Klicek, B.: A comparison of usability evaluation methods for e-learning systems. DAAAM International Scientific Book, pp. 271–289 (2010)
Alrobai, A.A., AlRoobaea, R.S., Al-Badi, A.H., Mayhew, P.J.: Investigating the usability of e-catalogues systems: modified heuristics vs. user testing. J. Technol. Res. 4, 1 (2013)
Brown, M.E., Hocutt, D.L.: Learning to use, useful for learning: a usability study of Google apps for education. J. Usability Stud. 10(4), 160–181 (2015)
Lira, W., Ferreira, R., de Souza, C., Carvalho, S.: Experimenting on the cognitive walkthrough with users. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction with Mobile Devices & Services, pp. 613–618. ACM (2014, September)
Ivanc, D., Vasiu, R., Onita, M.: Usability evaluation of a LMS mobile web interface. In: Information and Software Technologies, pp. 348–361. Springer (2012)
Shivade, B., Sharma, M.: Usability analyzer tool: a usability evaluation tool for android based mobile application. Int. J. Emerg. Trends Technol. Comput. Sci. (IJETTCS) 3(3), 247–252 (2014)
Yáñez Gómez, R., Cascado Caballero, D., Sevillano, J.L.: Heuristic evaluation on mobile interfaces: a new checklist. Sci. World J. (2014)
Leichtenstern, K., André, E., Rehm, M.: Tool-supported user-centred prototyping of mobile applications. In: Mobile and Handheld Computing Solutions for Organizations and End-Users, pp. 203–224. IGI Global (2013)
Semertzidis, K.: Mobile Application Development to Enhance Higher Education Lectures. University of York (2013)
Dirin, A., Nieminen, M.: State-of-the-art of m-learning usability and user experience. In: The Fourth International Conference on e-Learning (ICEL2013), pp. 130–139. The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communication (2013)
Liaw, S.S., Huang, H.M.: Perceived satisfaction, perceived usefulness and interactive learning environments as predictors to self-regulation in e-learning environments. Comput. Educ. 60(1), 14–24 (2013)
Freire, L.L., Arezes, P.M., Campos, J.C.: A literature review about usability evaluation methods for e-learning platforms. Work 41(Suppl. 1), 1038–1044 (2012)
Nagro, S., Campion, R.: A method for multimedia user interface design for mobile learning. In: Computing Conference, pp. 585–590. IEEE (2017)
Herskovic, V., Ochoa, S.F., Pino, J.A., Neyem, H.A.: The Iceberg effect: behind the user interface of mobile collaborative systems. J. UCS 17(2), 183–201 (2011)
Ma, X., Yan, B., Chen, G., Zhang, C., Huang, K., Drury, J.: A toolkit for usability testing of mobile applications. In: International Conference on Mobile Computing, Applications, and Services, pp. 226–245. Springer Berlin Heidelberg (2011, October)
Rahmat, H., Zulzalil, H., Ghani, A.A.A., Kamaruddin, A.: An approach towards development of evaluation framework for usability of smartphone applications. In: 2015 9th Malaysian Software Engineering Conference MySEC, pp. 178–182. IEEE
Ma, X., Yan, B., Chen, G., Zhang, C., Huang, K., Drury, J., Wang, L.: Design and implementation of a toolkit for usability testing of mobile apps. Mobile Networks and Applications 18(1), 81–97 (2013)
Reis, R.A., Fontão, A.D.L., Gomes, L.L., Dias-Neto, A.C.: Usability evaluation approaches for (Ubiquitous) mobile applications: a systematic mapping study. In: Proceedings of International Conference on Mobile Ubiquitous Computing, Systems, Services and Technologies. UBICOMM (2015)
Mahenge, M.P., Mwangoka, J.W.: Knowledge management e-learning. Learning 6(4), 449–463 (2014)
Baran, E., Uygun, E., Altan, T.: Examining preservice teachers’ criteria for evaluating educational mobile apps. J. Educ. Comput. Res. 54(8), 1117–1141 (2017)
Briz-Ponce, L., Pereira, A., Carvalho, L., Juanes-Méndez, J.A., GarcÃa-Peñalvo, F.J.: Learning with mobile technologies–Students’ behavior. Comput. Hum. Behav. 72, 612–620 (2017)
Fitzpatrick, J.: A Usability Evaluation Research of a Web based E-Learning Application (Doctoral dissertation, Dublin, National College of Ireland) (2015)
Gerald, R.E.: Freak the Mighty: A Quest Through Friendship (2017)
Marwan, M.E., Madar, A.R., Fuad, N.: Development of mobile EEF learning system (MEEFLS) for mobile learning implementation in Kolej Poly-Tech MARA (KPTM). Development 1(6183), 54 (2014)
Losada, B., Urretavizcaya, M., Gil, J.M.L., Fernández-Castro, I.: Applying usability engineering in InterMod agile development methodology: a case study in a mobile application. J. UCS, 19(8), 1046–1065 (2013)
Inostroza, R., Rusu, C., Roncagliolo, S., Rusu, V.: Usability heuristics for touchscreen-based mobile devices: update. In: Proceedings of the 2013 Chilean Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, pp. 24–29. ACM (2013, November)
Dirin, A., Nieminen, M.: mLUX: usability and user experience development framework for m- learning. Int. J. Interact. Mob. Technol. (iJIM) 9(3), 37–51 (2015)
Heo, J., Ham, D.H., Park, S., Song, C., Yoon, W.C.: A framework for evaluating the usability of mobile phones based on multi-level, hierarchical model of usability factors. Interact. Comput. 21(4), 263–275 (2009)
Yeh, S.W., Wu, T.Y.: Applying mobile annotation APPs in EFL reading: students’ perceptions and experiences. In: EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology, pp. 1546–1550 (2015)
Hussain, A.B., Abbas, S.A.A., Abdulwaheed, M.S., Mohammed, R.G., Abdullah Abdulhussein, A.: Usability evaluation of mobile game applications. Systemat. Rev. Environ. 2, 5 (2015)
Bertschler, M., Gritz, P.N., Gvozden, A., Jandl, C., Pfersmann, W., Scheucher, T.S., Schmiedl, G.: Exam Preparation for Medical Students: Recommendations for the Development of an M-Learning Application
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this paper
Cite this paper
Mathur, P., Chande, S.V. (2020). Empirical Investigation of Usability Evaluation Methods for Mobile Applications Using Evidence-Based Approach. In: Chaudhary, A., Choudhary, C., Gupta, M., Lal, C., Badal, T. (eds) Microservices in Big Data Analytics. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0128-9_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0128-9_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-15-0127-2
Online ISBN: 978-981-15-0128-9
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)