Mobile usability analysis and mobile application refactoring

• Grant number: 18/04754-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2018
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Augusto Toledo Machado
• Grantee: Regina de Moraes França
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/14497-0 - Nowcasting of intense thunderstorms and understanding of the physical processes inside clouds: the SOS-CHUVA (Severe Weather Observation System), AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

For every software or application it is necessary to design interfaces that facilitate user interaction and, consequently, allow the user to fulfill their goals during the interaction. Although there are guidelines for building interfaces for mobile applications, they often do not address subjective factors, such that the effectiveness of the messages/phrases used in interactions with users is unknown. To complement the application interface design, it is recommended to use usability assessments to identify design problems and analyze points of improvement in relation to user behavior. In this project, it is proposed to evaluate the usability of the SOS Chuva application through the Thinking Aloud method, the Nielsen heuristics and the golden rules of Shneiderman and Plaisant. After identifying the improvement points, the application will be refactored in order to improve the user experience. At the end, an analysis of users' perceptions regarding changes will be made. (AU)