Usability Assessment of the Missouri Cancer Registry's Published Interactive Mapping Reports: Round Two.

Abstract

Background Health-related data's users have trouble understanding and interpreting combined statistical and mapping information. This is the second round of a usability study conducted after we modified and simplified our tested maps based on the first round's results. Objective To explore if the tested maps' usability improved by modifying the maps according to the first round's results. Methods We recruited 13 cancer professionals from National American Central Cancer registries (NACCR) 2016 conference. The study involved three phases per participant: A pretest questionnaire, the multi-task usability test, and the System Usability Scale (SUS). Software was used to record the computer screen during the trial and the users' spoken comments. We measured several qualitative and quantitative usability metrics. The study's data was analyzed using spreadsheet software. Results In the current study, unlike the previous round, there was no significant statistical relationship between the subjects' performance on the study test and the experience in GIS tools (P = .17 previously was .03). Three out of the four (75%) of our subjects with a bachelor's degree or less accomplished the given tasks effectively and efficiently. This study developed a comparable satisfaction results to the first round study, despite that the previous round's participants were highly educated and more experienced with GIS. Conclusion By considering the round one's results and by updating our maps, we made the tested maps simpler to be used by subjects who have little experience in using GIS technology, and have little spatial and statistical knowledge.