Date

2013

Author

Karapars, Gülhis Zeynep

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This study presents an exploration into evolution of user experience in the long-term use of smartphones. The research methodology was comprised of two phases. In the first phase, a qualitative longitudinal study was conducted with 21 first-time users of smartphones for a duration of three months. Users were interviewed in the first, second and third months of their usage and telephone questionnaires were made in between the interviews. The analysis was made with Grounded Theory method. The evolving stages of usage and the relevant user experience dimensions that became prominent in each stage are analyzed. As an output of the first phase a model for long-term user experience was proposed. The model included usage stages, namely, exposure, initiation, appropriation, new routines and new expectations. During each stage, factors that lead to positive or negative user experience were elicited. The user experience dimensions which became prominent during each stage were also elicited. Second phase consisted of development of a long-term user experience scale. Item generation is founded on the findings from the first phase of the study. The output of the second phase is a preliminary Long-term UX Scale. The contributions of the thesis are as follows: A model of long-term user experience is proposed as a theoretical contribution to product design discipline. Secondly, the rich data from the qualitative study provides a guide for design decisions, which can be utilized by designers of mobile digital products. Thirdly, the preliminary scale can be used for benchmarking purposes in the industry.

Subject Keywords

Smartphones., Cell phones., Product design, Design and technology., Product life cycle.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12617017/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/23468

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis