• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.45-62
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• 2001

This study suggests a genetic algorithm-based partial least squares (GA-based PLS) method to select the design variables for building a usability model. The GA-based PLS uses a genetic algorithm to minimize the root-mean-squared error of a partial least square regression model. A multiple linear regression method is applied to build a usability model that contains the variables seleded by the GA-based PLS. The performance of the usability model turned out to be generally better than that of the previous usability models using other variable selection methods such as expert rating, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and partial least squares. Furthermore, the model performance was drastically improved by supplementing the category type variables selected by the GA-based PLS in the usability model. It is recommended that the GA-based PLS be applied to the variable selection for developing a usability model.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.43-57
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• 2008

This study examines the impact of knowledge processes (KP) on the performance of knowledge management systems (KMS). It posits that task needs and available functionality of technology existing in an organization could influence the usability of KP and the KMS performance. A firm-level structural model was developed based on data collected from corporate KM users. Survey-based research was carried out to test this model. Following questionnaire development, validation, and pretest with a pilot study, data were collected from 886 knowledge management (KM) users including directors, managers, and workers in a South Korea-based company, Korea Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO), to measure the task needs and available functionality of technology to improve the KMS performance. Results show that the matching between the two factors-technology and task-had a significant influence on the usability of KP and the KMS performance, and a better usability of KP has positive impact on the KMS performance. Implications on KM practices and KMS designs are also discussed.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.123-129
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• 2023

The most effective tutoring method is one-on-one, face-to-face in-person human tutoring. However, due to the limited availability of human tutors, computer-based alternatives have been developed. These software based alternatives are called Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) which are used to tutor students in different domains. Although ITS performance is inferior to that of human teachers, the field is growing and has recently become very popular. User interfaces play key role in usability perspective of ITS. Even though ITS research has advanced, the majority of the work has concentrated on learning sciences while mostly disregarding user interfaces. Because of this, the present ITS includes effective learning modules but a less effective interface design. Usability is one approach to gauge a software's performance, while "ease of use" is one way to assess a software's quality. This paper measures the usability effectiveness of an ITS which is designed to teach Object-Oriented (OO) analysis and design concepts using Unified Modeling Language (UML). Computer Supported Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ) survey was conducted for usability evaluation of UML-ITS. According to participants' responses to the system's usability survey, all responses lie between 1 to 3 scale points which indicate that the participants were satisfied and comfortable with most of the system's interface features.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.209-233
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• 2016

Today's mobile devices including smartphones are gradually taking a prominent position in many areas as portable multimedia computers and establishing a new computing paradigm. Nevertheless, it would not be easy for smartphone applications to provide users with a high level of usability under the current environment due to the physical hardware characteristics of each smartphone, which are expected to have a negative impact on the qualities of system, information, and service that smartphone applications provide. Thus, this study examined: 1) the effects of the perceived qualities of system, information, and service of smartphone applications on the perceived usability of the applications, and 2) the effect of the usability on users' individual performance with the given application. A survey was conducted and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the data. This study found that there are significant effects of the perceived qualities of system, information, and service of smartphone applications on the perceived usability of the applications. In addition, this study also found a significant effect of the usability of samrtphone applications on the individual performance with the application.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.104-108
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• 2000

The paper sets the goal as understanding relationship between usability and subjective preference with the cross- cultural comparison between korea and Japan. Total 42 Korean and japanese housewives participated in the experiment where subjects evaluated their subjective preferences on 16 different variations of computer-simulated microwave ovens. In additions, subjects also performed usability testing over 9 different microwave ovens with 6 different tasks given to users. Subjective preferences and usability were analyzed by Conjoint analysis to identify relative importance of features. The results showed that, in case of Korean subjects, subjective preference has positive relationship with usability (i.e. aesthetically good product also showed better performance in usability testing).However, Japanese subjects showed the tendency that subjectively preferred products are not necessarily evaluated good in usability testing (i.e. god aesthetic is one thing and high usability is another). this difference leads the speculation that culture plays a role in balancing the relationship between aesthetic and functionality.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.366-371
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• 1997

Although the concept of usability has been well defined in the software usability engineering area, it is not appropriate to apply the same concept directly to the consumer electronic products. A new concept of usability appropriate for evaluating consumer electronic consumer electronic products was suggested in this study. It is characterized by integrating both the performance and the impression factors. Based on the concept developed, a systematic and integrated methodology for usability evaluation was proposed. The methodology contains four major steps; the development of the measurement methods for evaluating usability attributes, the development of the analysis techniques for the human interface elements, the development of the evaluation method for the usability of human interface elements, and the development of the usability model. The results of this study can be applied to evaluate the usability of various electonic products in a systematic and efficent manner.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.569-580
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• 2016

Objective: This study aims to identify the most effective keyboard layout in the area of performance for securing usability in a smart watch-using environment and to verify the usability of touch keyboard calibrated by hand. Background: It is necessary to understand the environmental characteristics in using the smart watch and to secure the usability of touch keyboard based on this understanding in order to take account of the users who use the touch screen in the extreme input conditions caused by the small screen of a smart watch. Method: 30 participants in this study were required to input characters using the QWERTY keyboard and 3x4 keypad (Naratgul, Chunjiin), which were familiar with them, in order to grasp the keyboard layout suitable in the smart watch- using environment; the performance (error rate, performance time) of this case was measured. In addition, 30 participants in this study were required to input the characters setting the QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area and the one with uncalibrated touch area, based on the characteristics of touch behavior, by finger typing the keyboard, with the performance (error rate and performance time) of this case measured. Results: QWERTY keyboard (93.3sec) is found to be 31.2% faster than Naratgul keyboard, a kind of 3x4 keypad, and 43.6% faster than Chunjiin keyboard, in the area of efficiency, in the results of the usability evaluation regarding the keyboard layout. QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area (7.5%) is found to be 23.5% improved compared to the QWERTY keyboard with uncalibrated touch area (9.8%) in the area of accuracy (error rate). The results of the usability evaluation regarding the QWERTY keyboard with touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard and QWERTY keyboard with calibrated touch area (80.7sec) is found to be 5.7% improved compared to QWERTY keyboard with uncalibrated touch area (85.6sec) in the area of efficiency (performance time). Conclusion: QWERTY keyboard is found to have an effective layout in the area of efficiency in the smart watch-using environment, and its improved usability is verified in the areas of accuracy and efficiency in the QWERTY keyboard with a touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard. Application: The results of this study may be used to set up the basic touch keyboard of the smart watch. The input usability is expected to secure the smart watch-using environment, which is an extreme input condition by applying QWERTY keyboard with touch area calibrated by finger typing the keyboard.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.64-70
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• 2016

The recent development of modern weapon system by SOS (System of System) has required users to have more exact decision making. It is possible to achieve the control of complex weapon system more efficiently and effectively by increasing usability. Accordingly, many studies on graphical display have been conducted for several years in the field of HCI (Human Computer Interaction) and GUI (Graphic User Interface), starting from its design stage. Therefore, this paper focuses on evaluating the system GUI usability and analyzing several important points based on performance model, which is a tool for the evaluation and the improvement of service quality. Performance Model, the main focus of this study, reflects user expectations (which is defined as user importance in this paper). The study consists of four steps. First, 34 checklists are drawn from the existing studies related to GUI usability evaluation by using a heuristic method, and then the checklists are matched with 11 weapon system design factors. Next, the study evaluates the importance of GUI element and the usability of weapon system "A" with the checklists twice respectively. Third, the performance of user importance ($P_i$) and the performance of usability ($P_u$) are calculated by modifying a numerical formula for normalization in this step. Finally, the study compares the approach it takes and the existing usability evaluation method, demonstrating that there is a significant difference between the two methods as a result. In addition, 4 improvement factors are suggested for weapon system "A" as "Shortcut" and "Description of Abbreviation," and so on. Although it is necessary to conduct more studies for higher reliability and validity of the results, this study is meaningful considering it takes a new point of view.

• Journal of Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.223-232
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• 2014

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is often employed to quantify the environmental impact of a product in a comprehensive manner. The aspects of performance and usability as well as that of eco-friendliness should be considered in an integrated manner for the market competitiveness of an eco-friendly product. The present study developed a product improvement plan for an eco-friendly electric heater by benchmarking two small-size electric heaters (companies 'H' and 'T') in terms of performance, usability, and eco-friendliness. The performance measurements such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, noise, and power consumption were collected while the two heaters were operated in a laboratory setting. Then, the usability evaluations such as aesthetics, operation satisfaction, performance satisfaction, and overall satisfaction were surveyed for the two heaters using a 5-point scale (1 for very unsatisfied and 5 for very satisfied). Lastly, the LCA analysis was conducted by following the six-step process of eco-friendly product design provided by KEITI. The analysis results of the two products being integrated with the aspects of product, service, and user, four design improvement directions such as eco-efficient, smart, modularized, and user-support were recommended for an eco-friendly electric heater. These proposed concepts would be useful to develop an eco-friendly electric heater design with a high level of market competitiveness.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Emotion and Sensibility Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1221-1222
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• 2003

본 연구는 Usability 중심의 웹사이트 평가를 위한 프레임워크 모델의 구축을 목표로 한다. 이를 위해 기존에 구축된 웹사이트 평가 방법론을 분석하여 평가 요소 별 중요도를 설정하였다. 비교 분석을 통해 나온 문제점들을 기초로 웹사이트평가를 위한 평가요인(Critical Factor)을 선정하여 새로운 프레임워크 모델 $C^3$ISP(Contents, Community, Commerce, Interface, Security, Performance)를 제시하였다. 향후 연구과제로는 프레임워크의 유용성을 분석하기 위한 Running Test를 실시한다.