An empirical study: the critical issues of human computer interface design as web-based applications grow in prominence

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to examine human computer interface design within an Irish context. The primary objective was to identify and examine the critical issues of human computer interface design, and their application in an Irish context, as focus is shifting from stand-alone alone applications towards web-based applications. For the purpose of the study it was decided to e-mail a questionnaire to a random sample of five hundred organisations in order to obtain the information required. In total, sixty completed and valid questionnaires were returned. The overall response rate was 12%, 4.5% directly and 7.5% after follow up. The results suggest that Irish software companies are knowledgeable o f the critical issues of Human Computer Interface Design but do not differentiate between the design of stand-alone applications and web-based applications/static websites. Irish software companies also realise and utilise the importance of user centred design with the majority of companies involving the user during design and development.