Free talk video (you just need to get the access code by email) is here: https://www.iscb.org/cms_addon/multimedia/flvmedia.php?i=1377
Presented at ISMB ECCB 2013 conference: http://www.iscb.org/ismbeccb2013
It is recognised that bioinformatics resources often suffer from usability problems: for example, they can be too complex for the infrequent user to navigate, and they can “lack sophistication” compared to other websites that people use in their daily lives. In this presentation, Dr. Jenny Cham, User-Experience Analyst at the European Bioinformatics Institute, UK, will describe specific case studies to show how user-centred design (UCD) principles can be applied to bioinformatics services.
As well as improved usability, the benefits of UCD can include more effective decision-making for design ideas and technologies during development; enhanced team-working and communication; cost effectiveness; and ultimately a bioinformatics service that more closely meets the needs of its target research community.
Designing with the user in mind: how user-centred design (UCD) can work for bioinformatics
1. Designing with the user in mind:
how UCD can work for bioinformatics
Jennifer A. Cham
User Experience Analyst
European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge
User-Centred Design
= an approach that grounds the
design process in information
about the people who will use
the product/service/tool
20. A persona can mitigate ‘self-as-user’ outlook
Empathising-Systemising Theory
Baron-Cohen, S. et al (2003) The systemizing quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning
autism, and normal sex differences. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London 358: 361-74
32. So what did we learn?
• Specific things about representing enzyme data
e.g.
• Species-specific 3D model
• General things
e.g.
• Embedded not hyperlinked
33. ! Usability determines how bioinformatics is perceived
!
“there are scientists … who publish work but do not want to
go to the trouble of making the resources easy to use.
Wouldn’t it seem that evidence of usability…should be
prerequisite to publishing a paper about such a resource?”
Our duty à return on public investment in research
Veretnik et al. (2008) Computational biology resources lack persistence and usability. PLoS CB 4:2-4
34. UCD wins…
Evidence from users
Communicate what users want
Decision-making easier
Developers get feedback
Team-work ethos