Sample Exam 2020T0
COMP3511/9511 CSE UNSW T0, 2020
CSE, UNSW Sample Exam
COMP3511/9511 Human Computer Interaction
Sample Questions
Provide short essay style responses to the following questions. Where appropriate
provide annotated sketches to support your answer.
1. In the context of User Interface Design, what is meant by the term feedback? How
should feedback be incorporated into design of user interfaces? Provide sketched
examples to illustrate your response.
2. In a meeting with the executives of a computer software company, they decided
that they were going to move their usability testing schedule so that it would start
several weeks before the beta release. This was mainly due to the fact that they said
the testing was expensive and hence could be paid for by budget surpluses discovered
at the end of the project. What would be your response? Justify your reasoning.
3. Describe and define the different types of scenarios that are used in the user centred
design process. Explain when and how such scenarios are applied.
4. You are required to design a remote control device for a web browser similar in
concept to those devices used for controlling a TV. This would enable a user to
browse the Internet with a wireless remote control.
– Who would you involve in your interview process?
– Develop 2 activity scenarios for the wireless remote system
– Present a usability test plan that describes how you would conduct a usability
evaluation of your design.
– What would you need implement if you were to support blind users?
5. Describe what is meant by natural mappings. Provide a sketch to illustrate your
answer.
6. What design issues can you identify in the following interface? Sketch a redesigned
interface that improves upon the design below, explaining why you made such design
decisions.
COMP3511/9511 CSE UNSW T0, 2020
CSE, UNSW Sample Exam
7. What is the split attention effect? How can we make use of the split attention effect
when designing user interfaces? Sketch user interface examples to support your
response.
8. What does Nielsen’s heuristic “Recognition rather than recall” refer to? Provide a
sketched example illustrating the importance of this heuristic. Explain the underlying
human cognition capacity that distinguishes recognition from recall.
9. Describe the technologies that assist a visually impaired person reading web page.
From a web development perspective and user centred design perspective, what is
involved in preparing the web content so that it would be viewable by the visually
impaired person.
10. Prepare a table indicating the differences between a usability study conducted for
scientific research compared with a usability review for a commercial client.
COMP3511/9511 CSE UNSW T0, 2020
CSE, UNSW Sample Exam
Considerations for selected Sample Questions
1. How should feedback be incorporated into design of user interfaces? Provide
examples to illustrate your response.
This question provides an example of a typical exam question asking you to define a
principle, explain its relevance to the design of user interfaces or human computer
interaction and then support your point of view with an example. So as you are
reviewing your material ask yourself: Can I define this term? Can I provide a relevant
example demonstrating that I can apply or understand the principle? Can I give an
example? – Possibly a sketch. We are looking for responses that demonstrate
understanding not a regurgitation of textbook definitions.
2. In a meeting with the executives of a computer software company, they
decided that they were going to move their usability testing schedule so that it
would start several weeks before the beta release. This was mainly due to the
fact that they said the testing was expensive and hence could be paid for by
budget surpluses discovered at the end of the project. What would be your
response? Justify your reasoning.
This question is exploring whether you understand that the user centred design
process is not to be applied at the end of the development process. It also is asking
you to consider whether user centred design processes are expensive relative to the
implications of not testing early. You could refer to the 1, 10x, 100x graph to support
your point of view here. A comparison of summative vs. formative evaluation
techniques could be discussed.
4. You are required to design a remote control device for a web browser similar
in concept to those devices used for controlling a TV or video recorder. This
would enable a user to browse the Internet with a wireless remote control.
a. Who would you involve in your interview process
Whilst this is a consumer device, you should be specific about which target audience
you will involve in your data gathering efforts. Note that the interview process should
go beyond just the potential users of the system. There are other people to involve and
you would need to define specific stakeholders that are relevant to the application and
consideration for other people who would have experience with competing or similar
products. Talking to people about their browsing habits is going to be an important
first step to understand the way that this product would operate. Reviewing the
function and issues with existing remote control devices would also be a highly
insightful exercise. The device is a consumer device so a range of people from
different demographics would be an important consideration.
You would need to be specific about the people you actually involve. Our assignment
has been quite simple so just saying two would be limiting.
b. Develop 2 scenarios for the wireless remote system
Good practice for writing scenarios. Looking for user goals, context and situation
discussions in narrative form.
c. Present a usability test plan that describes how you would conduct a
usability evaluation of your design.
As discussed in class we are trying to assess whether you have built the skills to
manage a project that has user centred design focus. This is specifically asking how
you would plan and carry out a usability test as part of the remote control design. We
COMP3511/9511 CSE UNSW T0, 2020
CSE, UNSW Sample Exam
would be looking to see whether you understand the steps involved in running test
and know what to do with the results of each step.
d. What would you need implement if you were to support blind users?
This is a fundamental question that examines what processes you would need to
consider design for blind users. It is significant because of the recent legislation
changes that require designers to provide universal access support in their products.
Name: _______________________________
Student ID:________________________________
Signature:________________________________
UNSW Sydney
COMP3511/9511 – Human Computer Interaction
Summer 2020 Final Examination
Time Allowed: 2 hours
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Total Number of Pages: 10 (including title page)
Total Number of Questions: 2
Question 1 is a short answer questions made up of Parts A-C
Question 2 is a multiple-choice section made up questions 1-50
You must answer all questions
Total Marks Available: 70 (marks available for each question are shown in the examination
paper, Question 1 is worth 20 marks, Question 2 is worth 50 marks)
Do not write your answers on this examination paper.
Answer Question 1 in the exam booklets provided.
Use the Generalised Answer Sheet supplied to answer Question 2: 1-50
All answers must be written in ink except where they are expressly required. Pencils may be
used only for drawing, sketching or graphical work.
This paper may not be retained by the candidate.
Candidates may bring to the examination: Drawing Instruments or Rulers. No other
examination materials are permitted.
The following materials will be provided: Generalised Answer Sheet, 2 Exam Booklets