Jackie Feather*, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Philip D Carter, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Jane Koziol-McLain, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Dave Parry, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand Track: Practice Presentation Topic: Human-Computer Interface (HCI) Design Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Sheraton Maui Resort Room: C - Napili Date: 2014-11-14 09:45 AM – 10:30 AM Last modified: 2014-09-09

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Situated co-inquiry is a method of usability testing in which both a cooperative inquiry is made into a user’s experience of using an artifact without interfering or distorting that experience. The cooperative nature of the inquiry means accurate and precise understanding can be achieved of the user’s behaviour, needs, aspirations and goals. The method can be used across the system development lifecycle of an artifact through conception, design, development and employment. Other useful results of the method include:
1. Identifying specific usability/ease of use of the system, both what works well and what doesn’t work well.
2. Identifying specific places in which users experience any positive or negative impacts in health or wellbeing.
3. Matching initial health goals of the system with the actual experiences of users.
4. Identifying where further health interventions can be implemented. Either further system development or other interventions, leveraging opportunities for increased health outcomes.
5. Refinement of health objectives based on user experiences. There may be new objectives identified.
6. Refinement of categorisation of users. Attention to the experience of the users may reveal alternative ways to categorise users (compared to relying on demographics), which will improve efficiency for usability sampling.
Situated co-inquiry will be illustrated and examined from its use in isafe (an online eHealth intervention tool for women experiencing partner violence) and myplan (a smart phone safety decision aid App).