Formative evaluation of project GeoSim: MigModel and Humpop tutorial

Project Geosim is comprised of simulation software packages. The simulation software covers areas relating to geographic migration and geographic population patterns. Simulation models are built using a variety of control parameters. The information is presented and controlled through detailed graphical interfaces that the users can manipulate. Each software simulation package has a unique graphical interface that is tailored to the purpose of that program.

The purpose of this project is to enhance the user interface of Project GeoSim. To accomplish this purpose, the evaluator performed formative evaluation on the Humpop tutorial and the MigModel simulation program. The evaluator correlated the collected data into quantitative, numeric data and results, and qualitative, non-numeric data and results. Using Ideal, the evaluator collected quantitative and objective data. Objective data refers to directly observing the user's performance. Ideal aided the evaluator in collecting usability data for formative evaluation.

Another goal for this project is to establish a baseline of usability measures. In order to thoroughly test each interface involved in the study, human subjects performed several benchmark tasks. The human subjects gave informative feedback that help determine problem areas that need further addressing in the user interface.