Client
DePaul University, Chicago. Feb 2003.

Role
Primary Researcher

Description
This pilot study aimed to investigate user preferences on direct-manipulation and voice input methods, and to create design guidelines for user interface designers who are considering to employ those two types of input methods into their work.

A test application that has both voice and direct manipulation (point and click using a stylus) input methods were created on a laptop. Six users were first asked to perform 2 tasks using each of the two input methods. On the third task, each user were asked to select an input method, based on the experience with the last two tasks. Majority of them picked voice input for the third task, with the reason that voice input allowed them to complete their task faster. In reality, however, tasks performed using voice input were consistent slower than those using direct input. The novelty of voice input and convenience of hands-free operations won the participants’ over.
Insights and experience gained from the design of the test application and the test results formed the basis of four design guidelines.

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Full Paper [pdf, 134kB]