Formative Evaluation (both formal and informal)

From EuroVR Knowledge Base

Description

Formative evaluation is typically conducted during the development or improvement of a specific VE application/interface/interaction technique and involves representative users carrying out task scenarios in order to highlight any usability problems as well as strengths, and ensure that the VE/interface/interaction technique supports the user in achieving the task goals in the intended way. The VR/VE system can be improved based on the findings of the evaluation and tested again with representative users. Formative evaluations can be informal, focusing on mainly qualitative results such as user comments, behaviour, and critical incidents (events that have either a positive or negative impact on the user’s task performance and/or satisfaction); they can also be formal involving the collection of quantitative (time, error etc.) and qualitative data (Hix and Hartson, 1993).

Primary Reference or Source

• Scriven, M.B. (1967). The methodology of evaluation. In R.Tyler, R.M. Gagne and M.Scriven (eds.). Perspectives of Curriculum Evaluation, American Educational Research Association to Monograph Series on Curriculum Education, pp.39-83, Rand McNally, Chicago

• Hix, D., and Hartson, H.R. (1993). Developing user interfaces: Ensuring usability through product and process. New York: John Wiley and Sons.

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