Human-Computer Interaction: An Empirical Research Perspective

Good interface research depends on more than an appealing design: it also depends on understanding human performance and asking questions that can be investigated carefully. Human-Computer Interaction: An Empirical Research Perspective brings those concerns together, showing how empirical methods can be used to examine computer interfaces and interaction techniques.

I. Scott MacKenzie’s book is organized as a progression—from the history and human factors of HCI to research methods, experiments, statistical analysis, models of interaction, and the communication of findings. The result is a focused introduction to the logic and practice of empirical HCI.

From the field’s history to the human factor

The opening chapters trace important developments in HCI, then turn to the capabilities and limits that shape interaction. Sensory, cognitive, and motor factors—including perception, memory, language, and human performance—provide context for understanding how people use interfaces.

Build a sound empirical study

Research foundations lead into practical questions of methodology: what to observe and measure, how to frame a research question, and how to consider validity and comparison. The experiment-design chapter examines variables, tasks and procedures, questionnaires, within- and between-subjects designs, order effects, counterbalancing, and longitudinal studies.

Make sense of results and interaction

Coverage of hypothesis testing includes analysis of variance and non-parametric tests. Later chapters address descriptive and predictive models of interaction, including regression, choice reaction time, and the keystroke-level model. These topics help readers connect observed performance with ways of describing or predicting interaction.

For readers working with HCI research

Students and researchers studying user studies, experimental methods, or interface evaluation will find a clear route through the research process, from framing a study to writing and publishing its results. Practitioners interested in evidence-based evaluation can also use the book to strengthen their understanding of how HCI findings are produced and interpreted.

For a closer look at the research behind human-computer interaction, this book offers a methodical place to begin. 📚