Field Evaluation of Collaborative Mobile Applications

Abstract

This chapter presents a usability evaluation method for context aware mobile applications deployed in semi-public spaces that involve collaboration among groups of users. After reviewing the prominent techniques for collecting data and evaluating mobile applications, a methodology that includes a set of combined techniques for data collection and analysis, suitable for this kind of applications is proposed. To demonstrate its applicability, a case study is described where this methodology has been used. It is argued that the method presented here can be of great help both for researchers that study issues of mobile interaction as well as for practitioners and developers of mobile technology and applications.