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Articles

Overcome Barriers to End to End Research with Demonstrated ROI

Written by Christy Harper. 2020.

Explore how a strong case study is the best way to educate an organization about the need for end to end research. Read how demonstrating a return on investment showcases the value of user centered design research.

Best Practices for Ethnographic Research, Lessons Learned in the Wild

Written by Christy Harper. 2018.

Ethnography is a research method used to understand how people live and interact with their environments. Expect to plan ahead, encounter surprises, and tell a story when conducting ethnographic research.

“Team-Priorities Elicitation Technique” (T-PE)
helps develop an effective roadmap for new products

Written by Terri Rogers, Christy Harper, and Monica Snideman, Ph.D. 2004.
Pages 22-25. 
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​Understand how conducting the T-PE Technique as a planning framework for the product development process encourages team members to expand upon their visions and articulate their business and design goals.
Conference Proceedings

Exploring Hospital Wayfinding Systems: Design Guidelines for Wayfinding Interfaces

Written by Christy Harper, Spencer Jefferies (former employee), Andrea Wilson, Angie Avera (former intern), Tyler Duke (former intern), and Daniela Vasquez Klisans (former employee). 2020.
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Wayfinding is the dynamic process of understanding where a person is in relation to his or her surroundings. This research examines the usability and effectiveness of wayfinding systems in multiple large, complex, multi-building hospitals.

Designing Hospital Wayfinding Systems, Touchscreen Kiosks, Environmental Cues and Mobile Apps: An Evaluation of a Mobile Wayfinding Application

Written by Christy Harper, Tyler Duke (former intern), Andrea Wilson, Angie Avera (former intern), and Spencer Jefferies (former employee). 2020. 

Unpack a heuristic analysis composed of twenty dimensions across six categories aiming to discover usability issues that impact the effectiveness of a mobile wayfinding application used in large hospital buildings. 

Determining Static Mount Accuracy with a Mid-Range Eye Tracker

Written by Andrea Wilson, Monica Snideman, and Daniela Vaquez Klisans (former employee). 2019. 

This research reviews the accuracy of a mid-range eye tracker while viewing small and large targets on two static mounts. Data indicates that the size of the target affects accuracy, while the type of mount did not affect accuracy.

I’m Lost: An Evaluation of an Interactive Wayfinding System

Written by Tyler Duke (former intern), Angie Avera (former intern), Christy Harper, Andrea Wilson, and Spencer Jefferies (former employee). 2018.
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Researchers highlight the need for usable wayfinding systems in large hospital buildings to meet users' needs, expectations, and abilities to be effective. 

An Exploration of Interactive Wayfinding Displays in Hospitals: Lessons Learned for Improving Design

Written by Christy Harper, Angie Avera (former intern), Andrea Wilson, Spencer Jefferies (former employee), and Tyler Duke (former intern). 2017. 

Results gathered from this research into wayfinding systems used in large hospitals suggest necessary guidelines for designers to consider when configuring these interfaces. 

Exploring the Optimal Number of Trials and Participants for Touchpad Testing Using Fitts-based Tasks

Written by Angie Avera, Nicholas Kelling, Christy Harper, Rick Burks, and Hannah Bowman. 2017.

This research explores the functionality of different touchpad sizes for laptop computers. Using Fitts task trials, researchers aim to understand the optimal practices to maximize efficiency when using touchpad input devices. 
Conference Panels 

Too big, too small, or just right? Understanding which company structure will work best for you

Written by Christy Harper, Angie Avera (former intern), Heidi Mehrzad, Danae Holmes, Piet Kruithof, and Melissa Meingast. 2022. 

Read the initial submission document for this collaborative panel presented at UXPA 2022 in San Diego. 

HF/E Practitioners: Shared Experiences from Industry

Panelists include Amrita Maguire, Dan Odell, Christy Harper, Michael Bartha, Scott Openshaw, and Angie Avera (former intern). 2021.

Practitioners share experiences encountered while successfully navigating their respective Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) careers in industries like technology, product design, and human factors research. 

Managing as a UX Researcher: No Two Paths Are Alike

Panelists include Michael C. Bartha, Rochelle Edwards, Christy Harper, Damla Kerestecioglu, and Nizar Saqqar. 2021.

The function and role of a research manager varies between organizations. A panel of diverse research managers provide a look into the day-to-day life of managing in the UX research industry. 

When User Research Leads Design Astray

Panelists include Keith Karn Ph.D., Christy Harper, Alisa Rantanen, Rochelle Edwards Ph.D., and Michael C. Bartha Ph.D. 2020. 

​Comprehend the challenges of integrating user research into the product development process in meaningful ways. See common issues that may cause user research to lead designers astray. 

How to Maximize Success in Industry as a UX Researcher

Panelists include Christy Harper, Melissa Meingast, Rochelle Edwards, Maya Greene, Tasha D. Valdez, and Amrita Sidhu Maguire. 2020. 
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Hopeful UX researchers sometimes struggle to understand the necessary steps to succeed in the industry. Experienced industry professionals provide insight to help psychologists transition to and succeed in an applied industry role. 

Navigating the Crossroads: Career Transitions in Human Factors

Panelists include Christy Harper, Cynthia Rando, Melissa Meingast, Rochelle Edwards, and Jeff Graley. 2019.

Panelists discuss the challenges and triumphs of their careers in the human factors industry. Read their insight about transitioning within the field and beyond.

How to Succeed in Industry (As a UX Researcher): Strategies and Skills to Maximize your Impact

Panelists include Claudia Ziegler Acemyan, Michael C. Bartha, Melroy D’Souza, Rochelle Edwards, Sumonthip C. Gmitro, and Christy Harper. 2019.

Industry experts break down the necessary skills learned in the workplace to succeed as a UX researcher. Using a business perspective, panelists walk psychologists through key success strategies.
Presentations & Posters

Designing Wayfinding Systems for Hospitals

Written by Christy Harper, Angie Avera (former intern), Andrea Wilson, Tyler Duke (former intern), and Spencer Jefferies (former employee). 2018.

UX Researcher Andrea Wilson presented this research poster at the 2018 Houston HFES Symposium, where it won Best Professional Poster. Later, it was presented at the HFES 2018 National Health-Care Symposium by Christy Harper. This work analyzes the usability and effectiveness of three hospital wayfinding systems. 

I’m Lost: An Evaluation of An Interactive Wayfinding System

Written by Tyler Duke (former intern), Angie Avera (former intern), Christy Harper, Andrea Wilson, and Spencer Jefferies (former employee). 2018.

Tyler Duke presented this research at the 2018 Southwest Regional Symposium. Later, Angie Avera presented this research at the HFES National Health-Care Symposium. This work explores one hospital's use of an interactive wayfinding device and its usability.