ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to analyze and comparatively evaluate the usability of touch screen mobile applications through cognitive modeling and end-user usability testing methodologies. The study investigates the accuracy of the estimated results of a cognitive model produced for touch screen mobile phone interfaces. A mobile wallet application was chosen as the mobile software. The CogTool modeling tool was used as the cognitive modeling method. Eight tasks were determined and user tests were conducted in a usability laboratory with 10 participants. The tasks were compared on the basis of step time and total task completion time. This study reveals that CogTool gives approximate estimations with actual user performance on touch screen mobile phone application interfaces. However, if there are special cases in the tasks such that users are very accustomed to the steps or decision-making that is involved in the tasks, the “Think Operation” in CogTool should be modified.
Acknowledgments
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Turkcell İletişim Hizmetleri A.Ş for their support and especially to Bahri Okuroğlu for his insight and guidance during this study.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Nihan Ocak
Nihan Ocak is a researcher in the Human Computer Interaction Research and Application Laboratory at Middle East Technical University. She completed her master’s degree in Information Systems. Her research interests include human–computer interaction, usability, eye tracking, and user experience research.
Kursat Cagiltay
Kursat Cagiltay is a professor in the Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology at Middle East Technical University, Turkey. He holds a double PhD in Cognitive Science and Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University. His research interests include human–computer interaction, social informatics, educational neuroscience, and technology enhanced learning.