The effects of redundancy in user-interface design on older users. Issue 137 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reddy, Gudur Raghavendra; Blackler, Alethea; Popovic, Vesna; Thompson, M. Helen; Mahar, Douglas
• Is Part Of: International journal of human-computer studies. Issue 137(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Aging -- Redundancy -- Interface design -- Intuitive interaction; Human-machine systems -- Periodicals; Systems engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Human engineering; Human-machine systems; Systems engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 004.019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhcs.2019.102385
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1071-5819

Abstract

Highlights: We found age differences in use of words, symbols, and redundant interfaces. Older people (>65) were slower and had less intuitive uses on all interfaces. Older people (>65) found words-only interfaces easiest to use. Younger participants (<65) were fastest on the redundant interface. Abstract: This paper presents an experiment designed to investigate if redundancy in an interface has any advantage over either words-based or symbols-based interfaces for older people during early or intermittent encounters with a device. Although older people used all three interfaces more slowly and less intuitively than younger ones, interestingly there were no age differences in terms of errors made on the words-based interface. In terms of differences between interfaces, older people (65+) completed tasks on the words-based interface faster and more intuitively than on the redundant (words and symbols) interface. Younger participants completed tasks faster on the redundant interface. Overall, this research suggests that a simple words-based interface is most effective for older users and that recommendations to use redundant interfaces for greater usability for older people may need to be re-visited.