A big challenge in current systems biology research arises when different types of data must be accessed from separate sources and visualized using separate tools. The high cognitive load required to navigate such a workflow is detrimental to hypothesis generation. Accordingly, there is a need for a robust research platform that incorporates all data and provides integrated search, analysis, and visualization features through a single portal. Here, we present ePlant (http://bar.utoronto.ca/eplant), a visual analytic tool for exploring multiple levels of Arabidopsis thaliana data through a zoomable user interface. ePlant connects to several publicly available web services to download genome, proteome, interactome, transcriptome, and 3D molecular structure data for one or more genes or gene products of interest. Data are displayed with a set of visualization tools that are presented using a conceptual hierarchy from big to small, and many of the tools combine information from more than one data type. We describe the development of ePlant in this article and present several examples illustrating its integrative features for hypothesis generation. We also describe the process of deploying ePlant as an “app” on Araport. Building on readily available web services, the code for ePlant is freely available for any other biological species research.

/pdf/eplant-visualizing-and-exploring-multiple-levels-of-data-for-2mhe8wanjx.pdf

ePlant: Visualizing and Exploring Multiple Levels of Data for Hypothesis Generation in Plant Biology

Previous research has investigated gender and its implications for HCI. We consider inclusive design of technology whatever the gender of its users of particular importance. This conceptual review provides an overview of the motivations that have driven research in gender and inclusive HCI design. We review the empirical evidence for the impact of gender in thinking and behavior which underlies HCI research and design. We then present how HCI design might inadvertently embed and perpetuate gender stereotypes. We then present current HCI design approaches to tackle gender stereotypes and to produce gender-inclusive designs. We conclude by discussing possible future directions in this area.

/pdf/gender-inclusive-hci-research-and-design-a-conceptual-review-ql4tmwmuyu.pdf

Gender-Inclusive Hci Research and Design: A Conceptual Review

User stories are one of the most popular alternatives to traditional user requirement specifications (see Figure 1). But despite their promising name, user stories are not about – and don’t necessarily help – users at all. In most cases, user stories are written about roles that users adopt and take no account of the needs and behaviours of real users. Were that not indictment enough, user stories suffer from demonstrable flaws in structure and are often written by the wrong people at the wrong time.

/pdf/user-stories-don-t-help-users-introducing-persona-stories-4rbpdkdxfm.pdf

User stories don't help users: introducing persona stories

User-centred design (UCD) is a type of user interface design in which the needs and desires of users are taken into account at each stage of the design process for a service or product; often for software applications and websites. Its goal is to facilitate the design of software that is both useful and easy to use. To achieve this, you must characterise users’ requirements, design suitable interactions to meet their needs, and test your designs using prototypes and real life scenarios.

/pdf/the-enzyme-portal-a-case-study-in-applying-user-centred-3e8qfmbgsi.pdf

The Enzyme Portal: a case study in applying user-centred design methods in bioinformatics

Empathy with users is seen as crucial in the design process. Empathising with users is not trivial, especially if they are different from the design team, e.g. have a different gender or age. Additionally, people differ in the extent to which they empathise and have emotional responses towards others. In an empirical study, we explored the effect of different cognitive styles on the perception of personas. Our results indicate that an empathising cognitive style might alleviate an egocentric approach to design and that both empathising and systemising cognitive styles can be helpful in understanding personas. We suggest further research into the role of cognitive styles regarding the use and composition of personas.

Cognitive styles and personas: designing for users who are different from me

User-Centered Design is surprisingly difficult. One of the biggest issues, certainly for those with no HCI or usability experience, is a lack of appreciation of how users think and work. Their assumption is that users will approach and solve problems in the same way as the designers and developers of an interactive solution. Extreme examples of this self-as-user outlook is the belief that interaction problems are either the direct fault of users or the failure of users to follow instructions (the 'RTFM' syndrome [9]). This paper explores a psychological explanation of the self-as-user outlook through Empathizing-Systemizing theory, including a large-scale study (n = 441) of men and women working in the Information Technology field. The study found that men whose role was technological had significantly lower empathizing scores. The results of the study help to explain the self-as-user outlook and how it needs to be overcome in the design process.

/pdf/reduced-empathizing-skills-increase-challenges-for-user-4ojlx7nkj9.pdf

Reduced empathizing skills increase challenges for user-centered design

This half-day course shows how to integrate User-Centered Design with Agile methods to create great user experiences. It takes an 'emotionally intelligent' approach to engaging all team members in UCD.

William Hudson

Papers

Reduced empathizing skills increase challenges for user-centered design

Agile UX and UCD