Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 2:
The usability evaluation of the MenoMaps prototype included three channels: a
web map application, a map application on an iPhone and printed maps
3.1.1 Usability Evaluation of the Web Map and the Mobile Map
Applications
The evaluation of the web map and mobile map application were
conducted in a laboratory environment. The evaluation included pre-test
and post-test questionnaires and tasks with the applications utilising the
thinking aloud method. Six potential users, three female and three male
users, took part in the usability evaluations. The participants were from 32
to 58 years of age and they all had a history of leading various kinds of
hikes. We organised the evaluations for web and mobile maps one
participant at a time with a single usability practitioner. The same set-up
and the same participants were involved in both settings.
The participant was asked to fill out a background information form about
their age and gender, their background as hikers, habits of using maps, and
so forth. The thinking aloud method was then introduced and the tasks
were given to the participant one at a time. The tasks were based on a
scenario of a friend who wanted to go for a hike in Nuuksio National Park
(
Fig. 3
). The tasks required the user to use various functions, such as
finding additional information on the trails, listening to sound landscapes,
or drawing their own routes. Participants carried out the tasks individually
with the usability practitioner observing and recording the answers. The
