Using Virtual Reality to Assess User Experience

Objective: The aim of this article is to discuss how user experience (UX) evaluation can benefit from the use of virtual reality (VR). Background: UX is usually evaluated in laboratory settings. However, considering that UX occurs as a consequence of the interaction between the product, the user, an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human factors 2012-12, Vol.54 (6), p.964-982
Main Authors: Rebelo, Francisco, Noriega, Paulo, Duarte, Emília, Soares, Marcelo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assessments
Biological and medical sciences
Contact
Ecological monitoring
Ecology
Emotions
Ergonomics
Ergonomics. Human factors
Expectations
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human factors
Human-computer interaction
Humans
Lifestyles
Occupational psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Space life sciences
User-Computer Interface
Users
Virtual environments
Virtual reality
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Description
Summary:Objective: The aim of this article is to discuss how user experience (UX) evaluation can benefit from the use of virtual reality (VR). Background: UX is usually evaluated in laboratory settings. However, considering that UX occurs as a consequence of the interaction between the product, the user, and the context of use, the assessment of UX can benefit from a more ecological test setting. VR provides the means to develop realistic-looking virtual environments with the advantage of allowing greater control of the experimental conditions while granting good ecological validity. Method: The methods used to evaluate UX, as well as their main limitations, are identified. The current VR equipment and its potential applications (as well as its limitations and drawbacks) to overcome some of the limitations in the assessment of UX are highlighted. Results: The relevance of VR for UX studies is discussed, and a VR-based framework for evaluating UX is presented. Conclusion: UX research may benefit from a VR-based methodology in the scopes of user research (e.g., assessment of users’ expectations derived from their lifestyles) and human–product interaction (e.g., assessment of users’ emotions since the first moment of contact with the product and then during the interaction). Application: This article provides knowledge to researchers and professionals engaged in the design of technological interfaces about the usefulness of VR in the evaluation of UX.
ISSN:0018-7208
1547-8181
DOI:10.1177/0018720812465006