Usability Evaluation of Augmented Reality: A Neuro-Information-Systems Study.

Journal: Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE
PMID:

Abstract

This study introduces an experimental paradigm for a usability test of emerging technologies in a management information system (MIS). The usability test included both subjective and objective evaluations. For the subjective evaluation, a usability questionnaire and a NASA-TLX scale were adopted. For the objective evaluation, methods of Neuro-Information-Systems (NeuroIS) were used. From a NeuroIS perspective, this study used mobile fNIRS and eye tracking glasses for multimodal measurements, which solved the problem of ecological validity of cognitive neuroscience tools used in real-world behavior experiments. This study used Augmented Reality (AR) integrated into the Internet of Things (IoT) as an experimental object. Comparing the differences in the neuroimaging data, the physiological data, the usability questionnaire, and the NASA-TLX scale data between the two information-search modes (AR versus a website), information search with AR had a higher efficiency and a lower cognitive load compared with information search with a website during the process of consumption decision-making. The usability experiment results demonstrate that AR, as an emerging technology in retail, can effectively enhance consumer experiences and increase their purchase intention. The experimental paradigm, combining both subjective and objective evaluations in this study, could be applied to a usability test for emerging technologies, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, wearable technology, robotics, and big data. It provides a practical experimental solution for the user experience in human-computer-interactions with the adoption of emerging technologies.

Authors

  • Jun Wu
    Department of Emergency, Zhuhai Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Zhuhai, 519020, Guangdong Province, China. quanshabai43@163.com.
  • Di Zhang
    College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
  • Tao Liu
    Institute of Urology and Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
  • Helen Hong Yang
    Business School, La Trobe University.
  • Yi Wang
    Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China.
  • Huili Yao
    Economics and Management School, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology.
  • Shinan Zhao
    Economics and Management School, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology.