An Investigation Into the Challenges That Face Hci in Mobile Interface Designs. with Specific Considerations Between Gender and Age Groups
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AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE HCI IN MOBILE INTERFACE DESIGNS. WITH SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS BETWEEN GENDER AND AGE GROUPS A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing By Fiona Li Department of Computing & Information Systems Cardiff School of Management CARDIFF METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY, 2017 Declaration Page I hereby declare that this dissertation entitled “An Investigation into the Challenges that Face HCI in Mobile Interface Designs. With Specific Considerations between Gender and Age Groups” is entirely my own work, and the appropriate credit has been given where reference had been made to the work of others. I also confirm that this piece of work has never been submitted nor is it currently being submitted for any other degree than the one stated. Candidate: Fiona Li Signature: Date: Supervisor: Dr Ana Calderon Signature: Date: ii Abstract The popular subject of human computer interaction explores the communication between a user and systems for both software and hardware, assessing the interaction amongst these two entities allows development and improvements to be made in usability and functionality for new and existing technology. With HCI becoming highly complex and the development of mobile devices overpowering society within this ever-changing digital world of technology and media, the purpose of this research project is to keep updated with the changing trends and stamp the challenges of creating a user friendly experience for all types of individual users. In addition to this, there are a large number of people who persistently complain about design and usability in technology, especially those in the elder generation. Henceforth, the main aim of this thesis is to resolve the underlying enigma pertaining to gender or age specific classifications within the subject of mobile HCI and explicit relations to interface design. The results of utilising different forms of methodology to accumulate both qualitative and quantitative data with revised literature identified that there are potential relationships between the different age groups and the opinions on interface design than of gender where no significant connection was found. Additionally the findings discovered that all individual preferences are hard to please, but with persistent extensive research into this area can change and adapt HCI methods for the development of mobile devices in order to create more universally versatile machines that function well for every type of user. iii Acknowledgements On completion of my dissertation, I would like to sincerely thank my project supervisor, Dr Ana Calderon, for her utmost assistance and guidance but also her time to help me throughout the entire journey of this project. Furthermore, I extend my grateful thanks to everyone who spared their time to participate in my research for both my questionnaire and workshop interviews; the feedback from each method was incredibly valuable in improving the quality of my project and evaluating my conclusion and recommendations. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and family for the indescribable support and making the experience easier within the stressful periods. iv Table of Contents Declaration Page...................................................................................................... ii Abstract ..................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ...................................................................................................... v Table of Figures ...................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 - Introduction ....................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of Study....................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Aim .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Objectives ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 Chapter 2 - Project Schedule ............................................................................... 3 Project Tasks ............................................................................................................................. 3 Milestones ................................................................................................................................... 4 Gantt Chart ................................................................................................................................. 5 Risk Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 3 - Background & Literature Review ............................................... 7 Human Computer Interaction ............................................................................................. 7 7.1 About HCI ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 7.2 Human ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 7.3 Computer ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 7.4 Interaction ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 7.5 Mobile HCI ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 7.6 Challenges in HCI ..................................................................................................................................... 10 7.7 Gender in HCI ............................................................................................................................................. 10 7.8 Gender in Interface Design .................................................................................................................. 11 7.9 Age in Mobile HCI ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Mobile Platforms .................................................................................................................... 11 8.1 Popular Platforms ................................................................................................................................... 11 8.2 IOS .................................................................................................................................................................. 12 8.3 Android ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 8.4 Windows Phone ........................................................................................................................................ 13 8.5 Blackberry OS ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Design Elements ..................................................................................................................... 14 9.1 IOS .................................................................................................................................................................. 14 9.2 Android ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 9.3 Windows Phone ........................................................................................................................................ 16 v 9.4 Blackberry ................................................................................................................................................... 17 Current Technology ............................................................................................................ 20 10.1 iOS ................................................................................................................................................................ 20 10.2 Android ...................................................................................................................................................... 20 10.3 Windows Phone ...................................................................................................................................... 21 10.4 Blackberry ................................................................................................................................................ 22 Current Mobile Accessories