Challenges and Opportunities on the Application of Heuristic Evaluations: A Systematic Literature Review

Adrian Lecaros, Freddy Paz, Arturo Moquillaza

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heuristic evaluation belongs to the usability inspection methods and is considered one of the most popular methods since it allows to discover over 75% of the total usability problems involving only 3 to 5 usability experts, in comparison with user tests. However, certain problems and challenges have been identified at the time of their execution. In this study we present the results of conducting a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to identify case studies, challenges, problems, and opportunities on the execution of heuristic evaluations in the context of a research for the automation and formalization of the process. For this SLR, we have employed the protocol proposed by Kitchenham and Charters. The research was carried out on September 7 of 2020 and retrieved a total of 167 studies of which 37 were selected for this review. The results show that the main challenges are related to the low suitability of the chosen set of heuristics and the low expertise of usability evaluators. Additionally, we have identified that exist very few software solutions that support and automate the process. Finally, we have found that there were many protocols to follow when applying a heuristic evaluation, like the definition of new usability heuristics for a given case of study. According to the results obtained, we can conclude that it is necessary to develop and validate a tool based on a formal protocol that supports and automate the heuristic evaluation process, that gives solutions to the challenges and opportunities identified in this research.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDesign, User Experience, and Usability
Subtitle of host publicationUX Research and Design - 10th International Conference, DUXU 2021, Held as Part of the 23rd HCI International Conference, HCII 2021, Proceedings
EditorsMarcelo M. Soares, Elizabeth Rosenzweig, Aaron Marcus
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages242-261
Number of pages20
ISBN (Print)9783030782207
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Event10th International Conference on Design, User Experience, and Usability, DUXU 2021, held as part of the 23rd International Conference, HCI International 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 24 Jul 202129 Jul 2021

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume12779 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference10th International Conference on Design, User Experience, and Usability, DUXU 2021, held as part of the 23rd International Conference, HCI International 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period24/07/2129/07/21

Keywords

  • Challenges
  • Heuristic evaluation
  • Human-computer interaction
  • Opportunities
  • Systematic literature review
  • Usability

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