Ann Chadwick-Dias
Tom Tullis
ABSTRACT
Level of Web experience is often a factor for which researchers attempt to control while conducting experimental studies on Web usability. It is typically measured by some means of self-assessment that often includes questions regarding long-term usage, frequency of use, and the types of activities performed while using the Web. A common assumption is that Web experience is the same as Web expertise (high experience = high expertise). In our research studies primarily focused on Web usability and older adults, we found that even when Web experience is controlled, older adults still demonstrated less Web expertise than younger adults. Our research has supported the hypothesis that Web expertise is significantly influenced by how users learned the Web - or their cumulative time spent in collaborative learning environments (learning from and with others) - rather than just how long or how often they have used it. Preliminary results in our labs demonstrate a positive correlation between opportunities for collaborative learning and Web expertise, as well as a negative correlation between opportunities for collaborative learning and age. These results support the need to reassess how best to measure Web expertise and how we might improve Web interaction for older adults.
- Chadwick-Dias, A., McNulty, M., Tullis, T. Web Usability and Age: How Design Changes Can Improve Performance. Proceedings of the 2003 Conference on Universal Usability, November 2003. Google Scholar
Digital Library
- Coyne, K., and Nielsen, J. Web Usability for Senior Citizens: 46 Design Guidelines Based on Usability Studies with People Age 65 and Older, Nielsen Norman Group Report (2002).Google Scholar
- Groff, L., Liao, C., Chaparro, B. & Chaparro, A. Exploring How the Elderly Use the Web. Usability News 1.2 (1999).Google Scholar
- INSEE France. France in Figures, Edition 2000. Available at http://www.insee.fr/en/ffc/intfrcbref.pdfGoogle Scholar
- National Statistics. Population Estimates England and Wales 2000. Available at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/Google Scholar
- Nielsen NetRatings Report. Senior Citizens Lead Internet Growth. November 2003.Google Scholar
- Statistics Canada. Age and Sex Statistics. 2001 Census. Available at http://www.statcan.ca/start.htmlGoogle Scholar
- Rogers, B.L. Measuring Online Experience: It's About More Than Time! Usability News, 5.2, 2003. http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usabilitynews/52/experience.htmGoogle Scholar
- U.S. Administration on Aging and U.S. Bureau of the Census. A Profile of Older Americans: 2001.Google Scholar
Index Terms
- Older adults and web usability: is web experience the same as web expertise?
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