| To gain a better understanding of the variables which define the interaction between human and computer, certain components of human-computer systems and the relationships among them must be investigated. The components include the human user, the computer system, the task, the task environment and the human-computer interface (HCI). Since many of the factors are relatively fixed in most circumstances, the human-computer interface is of particular interest to the system designer.; Users of interactive computer systems differ in their experience and requirements for support. The human-computer interface, therefore, encompasses not only physical characteristics, but also, user intentions and cognitive prerequisites.; This research involves two studies conducted on five system interfaces. The major purpose of the studies was to explore the relationship between specific attributes of human-machine interface quality and user satisfaction.; The first study was a field study involving two public access on-line library systems. Two hundred and twenty-four volunteer subjects participated in this segment of the study.; The second study was an experimental study. One hundred and five volunteer subjects also participated in the experimental study. Three experimental systems were designed for this study. Each subject used and rated each of the systems.; Overall, the results of the experimental study agreed with the findings of the field study in two areas. On user differences, the experimental study affirmed the finding of the field study that a subject's level of task expertise affected user satisfaction. The lower the level of task expertise the more subjects were satisfied with the system interface. However, concerning perceived quality of output, both studies rejected the suggestion that perceived quality of output affected user satisfaction. |
