Abstract
This research has investigated the usability of anthropomorphic feedback. This
investigation has been very important and useful for the research community and user
interface developers because knowing definitively if an anthropomorphic type of
feedback is usable or not is an unresolved issue. Therefore this research aimed to find
out if anthropomorphic feedback is indeed more effective and more satisfying to use
than conventional user interface feedbacks. It was also the aim of this research to devise
a model for appropriate use of anthropomorphic feedback.
The research conducted used a hypothetico-inductive approach and in conjunction with
this, experimental techniques were used. Empirical data was collected and analysed.
The body of research conducted has contributed to six novel and significant
contributions to knowledge. The first contribution to knowledge concerns the fact that
this research began by looking at contextual and domain issues concerning feedback
types and their appropriateness. However following several experiments, the results
suggested that context and domain were not the main factors involved for the results
obtained and also the results obtained by other researchers. The second contribution to
knowledge concerns the novel way the experiments and tasks were designed and
executed.
Having concluded that the domain and context were not the crucial elements to
consider, other issues were therefore investigated. These concerned the possibility that
other factors at the user interface (and not the actual anthropomorphic appearance) were
affecting the results. The aspects specifically investigated were Cognitive Load Theory,
Baddeley’s Working Memory Theory and the Theory of Affordances. The investigation
suggests that Cognitive Load Theory and Baddeley’s Working Memory Theory do not
explain the results obtained. These two analyses constitute two further contributions to
knowledge as these analyses have not been conducted before on such issues.
However the Theory of Affordances does explain the results of the suite of experiments
conducted and also the results of a sample of research conducted by other authors. This
analysis adds a further contribution to knowledge suggesting that the facilitation of
various strands of affordances are key to the usability of an interface, rather than their
being anthropomorphic.
The last contribution to knowledge of this research is now proposing a tentative model
concerning user interface feedback and the Theory of Affordances.
Acknowledgements
I would like thank my supervisor Prof Patrik O’Brian Holt for his supervision and for
using his expertise and experience to guide me through the whole process of a PhD. I
would not have succeeded without his help and advice and will always be grateful for
all he has done to help me. I also give thanks to Dr Albert Burger for his supervision.
I would also like to thank my parents for their support and financial aid in times of
need. Who and what I am is in part due to them and will always be grateful to them for
all they have done to help me over the years.
I also give thanks to my wife for sharing life with me, being close to me in all things
and simply for being that special person.
Furthermore, I thank various colleagues who over the years have been sources of
encouragement to continue working on the PhD, complete it and see everything
through: Prof Tim Ritchings, Prof David Parsons, Prof Sunil Vadera and Dr Farid
Meziane. I also give thanks to the University of Salford and Prof Nigel Linge for their
help and support. Last but not least, I give sincere thanks to Heriot-Watt University for
giving me the chance to study there and for providing an environment and philosophy
that helped me to thrive.
Lastly, I am grateful for all the many participants who took part in the various
experiments over the years.
Publications Arising From the Research
Murano, Pietro, Ede, Christopher and Holt, Patrik O’Brian (2008) Effectiveness and
Preferences of Anthropomorphic User Interface Feedback in a PC Building Context and
Cognitive Load. International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems,
Barcelona, Spain, 12-16 June, 2008. (c) - INSTICC.
Murano, Pietro and Holt, Patrik O'Brian (2007) Anthropomorphic Feedback In User
Interfaces: The Effect of Personality Traits, Context and Grice's Maxims on
Effectiveness and Preferences. International Journal of Technology and Human
Interaction - IDEA Group Inc.
Murano, Pietro, Gee, Anthony and Holt, Patrik O'Brian (2007) Anthropomorphic Vs
Non-Anthropomorphic User Interface Feedback for Online Hotel Bookings, 9th
International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems, Funchal, Madeira,
Portugal, 12-16 June 2007. (c) - INSTICC.
Murano, Pietro (2006) Why Anthropomorphic User Interface Feedback Can be
Effective and Preferred by Users, Enterprise Information Systems 7, Springer,
Murano, Pietro (2005) Why Anthropomorphic User Interface Feedback Can be
Effective and Preferred by Users, 7th International Conference on Enterprise
Information Systems, Miami, USA, 25-28 May 2005. (c) - INSTICC - RECEIVED A
BEST PAPER AWARD-PUBLISHED AS BOOK CHAPTER by Springer.
Murano, Pietro (2003) Anthropomorphic Vs Non-Anthropomorphic Software Interface
Feedback for Online Factual Delivery 7th International Conference on Information
Visualisation (IV 2003) An International Conference on Computer Visualisation and
Graphics Applications, London, England, 16-18 July 2003, (c) - IEEE.
Murano, Pietro (2002) Anthropomorphic Vs Non-Anthropomorphic Software Interface
Feedback for Online Systems Usage 7th European Research Consortium for Informatics
and Mathematics (ERCIM) Workshop - 'User Interfaces for All' - Special Theme:
'Universal Access'.Paris(Chantilly),France 24,25 October 2002. Published in Lecture
Notes in Computer Science (C) - Springer.
Murano, Pietro (2002) Effectiveness of Mapping Human-Oriented Information to
Feedback From a Software Interface Proceedings of the 24th International Conference
on Information Technology Interfaces, Cavtat, Croatia, 24-27 June 2002.
Murano, Pietro (2001) A New Software Agent 'Learning' Algorithm People in Control
An International Conference on Human Interfaces in Control Rooms, Cockpits and
Command Centres, UMIST, UK, IEE.
Murano, Pietro (2001) Mapping Human-Oriented Information to Software Agents for
Online Systems Usage People in Control An International Conference on Human
Interfaces in Control Rooms, Cockpits and Command Centres, UMIST, UK, IEE.