Committee on the Use of Human Subjects (CUHSR/IRB)

PROPOSAL ID:	1339
TITLE:	DETERMINING BUTTON-TO-ACTION MAPPINGS
PRINCIPLE INVESTIGATOR:	STILL, JEREMIAH PSYCHOLOGY 816-271-4444 JSTILL2@MISSOURIWESTERN.EDU
OTHER INVESTIGATORS:	MARY STILL
IRB SUMMARY:	File Created: September 15, 2011 Department Chair Action Date: September 15, 2011 Current Status: Extension of Approval Granted Action Date: September 16, 2011
Confidentiality	Data are not linked to individuals

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this research is to investigate how user experience (UX) professionals resolve interface button-to-action ambiguity. Designers have the difficult job of choosing from a wide array of UX methods based on project requirements. This study investigates the relationship between the UX method being selected, professional identity (e.g., software programmer, human factors, interaction designer) and years of experience. The results from this study will be used to help inform design recommendations for resolving interface ambiguity.
STATEMENT OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Participants’ responses will be collected through an online survey system (i.e., class climate). Participants will be presented with a design context (which button configuration is preferable for mapping a particular set of actions), along with interface constraints, and will be asked to briefly describe the way in which they would typically go about solving this design problem. The employers’ and participants’ identities will not be associated with the data.
ANTICIPATED RISKS AND BENEFITS
This study poses little risk to participants, no more than would be experienced normally using the internet. There are anticipated benefits of this study for the field of user experience. Our hope is that observing what professionals do in a naturalistic setting will facilitate the development of design recommendations regarding how interfaces ambiguity ought to be resolved.
SUBJECT SELECTION
Participants will be recruited from companies where UX professionals create interfaces. They will receive an e-mail requesting their anonymous participation in a short online survey.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Participants will be asked to consent to be in the research study before beginning the survey. Further, all of their data will be assigned to a subject number which will not be associated with any personally identifying marks. This ensures that all data and results will remain anonymous.
PRIMARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENT
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Extension Request on 09-16-2012

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Any questions about proposals, procedures, etc. should be directed to the chair of the CUHSR by email to cronk@missouriwestern.edu

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