Evaluation

Our work on DLI2 has contributed to the bridging and development of an interface between the social and cognitive sciences with computer science in the domain of medicine. Social and cognitive factors are critical in human behaviour and need to be considered more fully by computer scientists in the design and implementation of complex information systems. These studies also contribute to our fundamental study of human behaviour.

Our research will result in the design of a mixture of evaluation techniques that can be used to provide both quantitative and qualitative assessment. These evaluation techniques themselves provide a contribution to knowledge of how to develop and assess systems. Using cognitive analysis and usability engineering, we have begun formative evaluation already, identifying, for example, features needed in the user interface, what questions users ask, and the kind of information needed in a summary. Evaluation at end stages will quantify the impact of our system on physician and patient behavior and satisfaction.