Research in Context: Ethnographic Usability

Abstract

The only way to judge a product's acceptance in the workplace is through its use. However, before a product is released into the marketplace, its developers would like to predict its acceptability in the target market. One predictor of acceptability is usability test results. Typically, usability testing takes place outside of the user's natural environment in a usability test lab, an artificial environment. This article suggest ways in which ethnographic principles, historically used to describe a culture from the point of view of someone within that culture, can be used along with traditional usability testing to predict a product's acceptability in the marketplace.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1997-01-01
DOI
10.2190/dpqf-vg74-1hqa-l2f9
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Written Communication

Cites in this index (1)

  1. Written Communication
Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1109/47.31603
  2. 10.1111/j.1467-9310.1983.tb00001.x
  3. Dorazio P. and Stovall J., Usability: Input to the Classical Systems Model, IPCC 92 Conference Record, MB 12.2/500.
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