This is just for a response to a classmates discussion post. Requires 1 peer reviewed reference and at least 250 words.
Classmates post:
Appraising the usability of the prototype of a smartphone-based application meant for calculating drug dosages requires a combination of various tests in order to ensure maximum usability and effectiveness. One of the tests I would consider doing as a member of the team created to perform the tests would be usability test with potential users. This involves asking real users to perform various tasks that the app is designed to perform and observing how the users interact with the app. This would help gather information on any areas where users seem to not be able to complete a particular task which would help improve the app to the maximum.
A cognitive walkthrough would also be effective. This involves asking the participants to complete various tasks by walking them through specific scenarios that they are likely to encounter in real life. Various scenarios are likely to require the user to interact with the app differently which would help to further assess the usability of the app even in the more complex situations (Islam et al., 2020). This would help determine the presence of any usability issues that users are likely to come across in the real world.
A common testing method is A/B testing which involves testing different variations of the app’s design and layout with different users and observing how different users interact with their respective designs (Azad-Khaneghah et al., 2021). This would help the team to compare the effectiveness of various features on the different designs, the preferences that the users have, the usability level of different designs which would help pick the best designs and the best features that will provide the best user experience.
I would also test the accessibility of the design in regards to how well users with various disabilities are able to use the app. Users with various disabilities such as motor disabilities or vision impairment may experience difficulty accessing various features on the application (Saparamadu et al., 2021). It is important to consider some of the challenges that such users may have and ensure that such challenges are catered for. This helps to ensure that all users find the app inclusive and accessible.
A performance testing would also be recommendable in this case. This involves assessing the performance of the app under various conditions such as different device capabilities and network speeds. This helps to ensure that the application would be able to perform as expected regardless of the conditions the user is trying to use it in.
An example of a smartphone based application that is meant for dosage calculations is the Dosecast app. This is an app that is designed to help users track their dosages and manage their medication schedules. The application allows users to set reminders for their medication as well as calculate their dosages based on prescribed regimens. Users are also able to input various parameters such as the frequency of their dose or the strength of the dose in order to tailor the calculations to the patient’s specific needs. Dosecast provides a simple and easy to use interface that makes it easier for users to manage their medication and improves their medication adherence levels.