Some Usability and Ethical Issues for Captive End-User Systems

摘要

This article discusses some special usability, usability testing (UT), and ethical issues that arise from experience with what is called captive end-user systems (CELTS). These are systems that are required to gain access to, and participate in, a private or privileged organization, or as an employee or member of another organization that wishes to gain such access and participation. Examples are systems that are generally Web-based and required for submitting 1. articles to academic journals (editorial systems) 2. job applications 3. student applications to universities or academic programs 4. faculty curriculum vitae (C V) material into a database This article's focus is on systems like those listed, but many others, not necessarily Web-based ones, could also be listed. Automated phone-answering systems come to mind. Government forms such as tax filing forms also qualify, although in that case, commercial tax preparation software has largely come to the rescue.