Empirical Lab Repository

Title: Menu Search Times: Estimating time to scan and select menu items

Author: Craig Miller, DePaul University, cmiller@cs.depaul.edu

Possible courses: Human-Computer Interaction, User-interface design

Empirical concepts used: Linear regression; scatter plots

Computer science concepts: User interface design and efficiency; user behavior

Summary: Students are provided with data of users scanning a menu of 11 items in search of one of the items in the list. The desired item may appear in any one of the 11 positions. Using linear regression, students determine the relationship between the position of the item in the list (numbered 1 through 11) and the time it takes for the user to select the item. Analysis reveals reasonable estimates for the time needed to scan each menu item and the time needed to select a menu item with a mouse.

Variations: This lab provides the data collected from a study. It would be possible to develop a simple application that collects menu scanning data from students, which could then be used for analysis. Other possible variables for regression analysis include task completion time, user satisfaction ratings and number of mouse clicks.

• Lab Handout (no programming)
  
  
• Instructor Materials
• Assignment Evaluation Form