Short answer

When evaluating dashboards, prioritize the use of or development of evaluation criteria that directly address the unique functional and informational aspects of the dashboard and its intended use case.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: BioMed Research International (2023)
Method: Systematic Literature Review
Evidence: Strong effect

Evaluating dashboard usability with criteria specifically designed for their unique characteristics yields more relevant and actionable insights than using general usability questionnaires. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in BioMed Research International. Using Systematic literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When evaluating dashboards, prioritize the use of or development of evaluation criteria that directly address the unique functional and informational aspects of the dashboard and its intended use case.

Study

User-Centred DesignRecentStrong effect

Dashboard Usability: Tailored Evaluation Metrics Outperform Generic Questionnaires

Evaluating dashboard usability with criteria specifically designed for their unique characteristics yields more relevant and actionable insights than using general usability questionnaires.

BioMed Research International · 2023

Key Findings

01Many studies relied on general usability questionnaires not tailored for dashboards.
02Specific criteria are needed to accurately measure dashboard usability, considering evaluation objectives, dashboard features, and context of use.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When planning a user research study for a dashboard, identify key dashboard features (e.g., data density, interactivity, information hierarchy) and user tasks, then develop or select evaluation questions that specifically probe these aspects.

Project actions

01When evaluating your dashboard design, think about what makes it unique and create specific questions to test those features.
02Don't just use a standard 'easy to use' checklist; consider how users interact with the data and visuals.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the most effective criteria for evaluating the usability of dashboards, considering their specific features and contexts of use?

MethodSystematic Literature Review

ProcedureThe researchers conducted a systematic review of existing literature to identify common practices and tools used for evaluating dashboard usability. They analyzed the types of questionnaires and criteria employed in previous studies to understand their effectiveness and limitations.

ContextInformation design, data visualization, user interface design, health informatics, knowledge management.

Variables

IVType of usability evaluation criteria (generic vs. specific)

DVEffectiveness of usability evaluation in identifying design issues

CVDashboard features, evaluation objectives, context of use

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Provides a clear argument for specialized evaluation metrics.
+Systematic approach ensures a broad overview of existing research.

Limitations

It can be challenging to develop truly comprehensive and validated specific criteria for every unique dashboard design.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the findings depends on the consistency of the literature reviewed. Validity is enhanced by the systematic nature of the review process, but the ultimate validity of specific criteria would require empirical testing.

Think critically

How might the 'context of use' for a dashboard in a hospital emergency room differ from its use in a marketing analytics team, and how would this impact the selection of usability evaluation criteria?

Design Principles

"Usability evaluation methods should be contextually relevant to the product being assessed."

Effective dashboards are crucial for data-driven decision-making across many fields. By employing targeted evaluation methods, designers can identify specific usability issues that hinder user comprehension and task efficiency, leading to more impactful and user-friendly designs.

What This Means for Your Design

Using the right tools to test how easy a dashboard is to use makes a big difference. Generic tests might miss important problems that specific tests can find.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying your choice of usability testing methods, especially if you are developing specific criteria for your dashboard.
2.Use the findings to explain why generic usability questionnaires might not be sufficient for your design project.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The evaluation of dashboard usability necessitates the application of tailored criteria, as generic usability questionnaires may not adequately capture the specific challenges and functionalities inherent in data visualization interfaces. This research highlights the importance of aligning evaluation objectives with dashboard features and the context of use to derive meaningful insights for design improvement.

Source

BioMed Research International

Usability Evaluation of Dashboards: A Systematic Literature Review of Tools

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about dashboard usability: tailored evaluation metrics outperform generic questionnaires?: When evaluating dashboards, prioritize the use of or development of evaluation criteria that directly address the unique functional and informational aspects of the dashboard and its intended use case. Evidence: BioMed Research International (2023).
Why does "Dashboard Usability: Tailored Evaluation Metrics Outperform Generic Questionnaires" matter for design?: Effective dashboards are crucial for data-driven decision-making across many fields. By employing targeted evaluation methods, designers can identify specific usability issues that hinder user comprehension and task efficiency, leading to more impactful and user-friendly designs.
How can designers apply this research?: When evaluating dashboards, prioritize the use of or development of evaluation criteria that directly address the unique functional and informational aspects of the dashboard and its intended use case.
What were the main findings?: Many studies relied on general usability questionnaires not tailored for dashboards.. Specific criteria are needed to accurately measure dashboard usability, considering evaluation objectives, dashboard features, and context of use.
What research method was used?: Systematic Literature Review.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from BioMed Research International.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When planning a user research study for a dashboard, identify key dashboard features (e.g., data density, interactivity, information hierarchy) and user tasks, then develop or select evaluation questions that specifically probe these aspects.
What are the limitations?: The review's findings are dependent on the quality and scope of the existing literature. The effectiveness of specific tailored criteria may vary depending on the complexity and purpose of the dashboard.