Full citation
O'Brien, H. L., MacLean, K. E. (2009). "Measuring the User Engagement Process." In Proceedings of Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '09), Workshop on Engagement by Design, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 6 pages, April 2009.
Abstract
Engagement is a quality of user experience that
facilitates more enriching interactions with computer
applications. It is defined by a core set of attributes:
aesthetic appeal, novelty, involvement, focused
attention, perceived usability, and endurability. The
ability to engage users influences the products they
purchase, the websites they use, and the decisions they
make regarding what they will use in future and what
they will recommend to others. Engagement is clearly
an important component of user experience, but like
other components, it is somewhat intangible, and thus
difficult to measure and evaluate. This workshop paper
outlines previous research that has focused on the
evaluation of engagement as an outcome of
experience. We propose that focusing on measuring
the process of engagement is the crucial next step. To
assess whether or not users are engaged while using
an application and what aspects of the system engage
them, we must employ mixed methodologies to capture
the cognitive, affective, and behavioural components of
the experience. But which methods are most
appropriate, and how can they be used in concert?
Addressing these questions will allow us to understand
the nature of engagement and inform design.
facilitates more enriching interactions with computer
applications. It is defined by a core set of attributes:
aesthetic appeal, novelty, involvement, focused
attention, perceived usability, and endurability. The
ability to engage users influences the products they
purchase, the websites they use, and the decisions they
make regarding what they will use in future and what
they will recommend to others. Engagement is clearly
an important component of user experience, but like
other components, it is somewhat intangible, and thus
difficult to measure and evaluate. This workshop paper
outlines previous research that has focused on the
evaluation of engagement as an outcome of
experience. We propose that focusing on measuring
the process of engagement is the crucial next step. To
assess whether or not users are engaged while using
an application and what aspects of the system engage
them, we must employ mixed methodologies to capture
the cognitive, affective, and behavioural components of
the experience. But which methods are most
appropriate, and how can they be used in concert?
Addressing these questions will allow us to understand
the nature of engagement and inform design.
Paper
Year Published
2009