Instant Mini-Usability TestHuman Research Ethics

LIS 677 Human Dimension in Information Systems

Spring 2012

Dr. Diane Nahl

Library and Information Science Program

University of Hawaii

Instant Usability Test {IUT}1. Have a User scan the tabs on the online LibGuide

SL Guide.

2. Question the User about information needs: What part of the Guide to use to learn something new?

3. Have the User select a tab with unfamiliar content, select one area, and read and/or watch and do what it describes in SL.

4. Fill out an IUT Form as the test proceeds. Remind User to Think Aloud and explain ratings.

5. Ask the User to make open ended comments on the value of and difficulties with the Guide.

6. Make notes to improve the Guide’s design based on the test. LIS 677 Human Dimension in Information Systems Spring 2012 Nahl 2

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Ethics in Second Life Research

• Protection of Human Subjects Procedures• Uphold LL/SL ”Community Standards" in all

contact with residents • Privacy: Disclosing Personal Information in

Profiles, Forums, or within Second Life

Based on Dr. Ed Lamoureux’s instruction to undergraduate students

http://interactivemedia.bradley.edu/ell/netbooks.html

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Ethics in Second Life Research

• You may choose to disclose personal information via your Second Life profile, directly to other users in chat or otherwise while using the Second Life service. Please be aware that such information is public information and you should not expect privacy or confidentiality in these settings.

• Uphold LL/SL ”Terms of Service" with regard to ”Conduct of Users," IP rights, the DMCA, and other matters in the agreement.

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Ethics in Second Life Research

• Create and carry a HSP handout as a notecard offered to any avatar who inquires as to the research work/researcher’s presence.

• Although we are not conducting formal research in this course, we will treat human subjects protection as though we are.

• If you want to publish your SL data, you must have Human Subjects Research Certification and an IRB application must be filed and approved. The approval process is simpler for “Exempt” research than for clinical trials.

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Ethics in Second Life Research

• Maintain subject confidentiality in data management (anonymized coded names, etc.) from informal conversations.

• Forbid students from copying and saving transcripts of talk from avatars with whom they have not obtained permission (and who haven’t been given an HSP handout).

• Forbid students from using camera controls to see through objects and into spaces where they are not co-present with the subjects.

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Ethics in Second Life Research

• Block out avatar names and faces in cases of publishing photos of subjects without their permission.

• Publish the URL for student course reports for the purpose of returning knowledge to the communities of practice in question.

• Student-produced Research Ethics FAQ http://interactivemedia.bradley.edu/ell/netbooks.html

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Coping with Griefers• http://npsl.wikispaces.com/griefers-+what+to+do• Definition: Those who intend to disturb others.• Tactics for handling uncomfortable situations:

– Ignore and move away– Chat (unintended faux pas or rule breaking)– Mute person speaking or typing in Chat [CTL-H]– Busy mode [World tab, ‘set busy’]– Teleport Home [CTL-SHIFT-H]– Sit [Right-Click object or ground]– Quit [CTL-Q]– Abuse Report with Snapshots– Land Tools for Ejecting, Banning, & restricting

permissions for Rezzing, Pushing, Scripts, etc.

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Seven Deadly Sins of Griefing• SLOTH: Unwelcomed Loitering and Littering• WRATH: Unprovoked assault (verbal) and/or

battery (virtual-physical)• GREED: Selling freebies, begging/demanding L$,

land swooping• GLUTTONY: deliberately lagging folks by hogging

resources with scripts, excessive prims, bling/particle spam, many physical objects, too many light sources, enormous textures, ...

Jopsy Pendragon 10/16/06

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Seven Deadly Sins of Griefing

• ENVY: annoying and inappropriate "Look at me!" stunts that interrupt events, parties, conversations or just people just trying to do their own thing

• PRIDE: drama factories, like self-centered types that threaten a storm of community retaliation if they don't get apologies for whatever imagined slight they were offended by

• LUST: foisting mature objects, textures or animations on uninterested people

Jopsy Pendragon 10/16/06

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Ethical Situations in VW Research

• Have any griefing incidents occurred with your avatar? If so what happened and what did you ultimately do about it? What will you do in the future if something happens to disturb you and your avatar?

• What ethical issues do you foresee in virtual Second Life that may or may not be present in physical life?

• How might one ethically use SL’s inspection affordances in research: Camera, Profiles, Chat?– ALT-Click to Zoom & follow an avatar– EDIT to Inspect

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NEXT WEEK

• Readings: Ch 2; Nardi, Why We Do Usability Testing