Dr. Ali al-Azzawi

PhD passed in April 2010:

Experience with Technology: Understanding the dynamics of User Experience and consumption of portable media devices

 

Abstract:

The notion of User Experience (UX) has provoked an increasing number of debates about the nature of UX, within several disciplines such as HCI, design, and marketing. In order to address this question in a structured manner, this project focuses on gaining an empirically derived understanding of the underlying psychological dimensions and processes that people use to make sense of their experience with technology. The project is also designed to explore the changes that take place during interaction with technological devices at various timescales. Indeed, the very nature of time and meaning is explored in the context of UX. Since Kelly’s Personal Construct Theory (PCT) is fundamentally concerned with how people experience and make sense of events, it is used as a theoretical and methodological starting point to this project. As a derivative of PCT methodology, the Multiple Sorting Procedure (MSP) is used in this project along with standard experimental psychology methods such as rating scales and interviews, in order to provide access to people’s constructs and conceptualisations of their experiences.

Specifically, four major studies are undertaken to examine people’s experiences with portable media devices (MP3 players). The first study is designed to identify the constructs that people use to make sense of MP3 players. These findings are then used to explore the dynamics of UX during early interaction, as well as long-term use. The quantitative and qualitative data are analysed with variants of Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), as well as standard statistical analysis, and content analysis of interview data. The results show a group of super-ordinate constructs that undergo a change in the way they relate to each other upon interaction. The data also illustrate how different constructs vary in their response to experience. Also, relationships between the users and; objects, brand, and others are seen to be a key aspect of UX. This research concludes by proposing a model of UX that consolidates the above understandings and findings into a workable framework of UX that may be useful for designers, as well as being an empirically grounded starting point for further research.

Supervisors: Prof. David Frohlich and Dr. Margaret Wilson.

Dr. Ali al-Azzawi: A.Al-Azzawi@surrey.ac.uk | ali@openia.com

 

Publications

Al-Azzawi, A., Frohlich, D., & Wilson, M. (2007). Beauty constructs for MP3 players. CoDesign - International Journal of CoCreation in Design and the Arts, Affective Communication in Design - Challenges for Researchers (3-S1), 59-74. (Presented at the Affective Communications in Design conference at Leeds University on 22nd June 2007)

Al-Azzawi, A., Frohlich, D., & Wilson, M. (in press). Eliciting Users' Experience with Technology. In M. Fromm & D. Bourne (Eds.), Book containing selected publications from the European Personal Construct Association (EPCA) conference, 2008.

Conference abstracts & presentations

Al-Azzawi, A., Wilson, M., & Frohlich, D. (2006). Users' First impressions of MP3 players. Paper presented at the First International Symposium on Culture Creativity and Interaction Design (CCID), London. (Presented at the BCS HCI-2006 Conference in London, 2006).

Al-Azzawi, A., Frohlich, D., & Wilson, M. (2008). User Experience: A Multiple Sorting Method based on Personal Construct Theory. Paper presented at the Proceedings of the CHI 2008 Conference on Computer-Human Interaction - Extended Abstract.

Al-Azzawi, A., Frohlich, D., & Wilson, M. (2007). Experience and Aesthetics with Media Devices. Abstract and presentation at the Festival of Research, University of Surrey, U.K.

Al-Azzawi, A., Frohlich, D., & Wilson, M. (2009). Eliciting Users’ Experience with Media Devices. Abstract and presentation at COST298, University of Udine, Italy.

Poster Presentations - Previous

Azzawi A, Field M L, Styles P, Radda G K. Fourier transform analysis of Ca2+ transients from isolated perfused beating rat heart revealing multiple frequency components. International Society for Heart Research, Kobe, Japan. May 1992.

Azzawi A, Thompson C H, Styles P, Radda G K. Spatio-Temporal Analysis of rat heart following myocardial infarction. MRI Cardiovascular Workshop, Society of Magnetic Resonance, Santa Fe, New Mexico. October 1994.

Azzawi A, Cremillieux Y, Dunn J F. High-Resolution 1H imaging at 7T using a half-birdcage RF Coil. Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Field M L, Azzawi A, Radda G K, Henderson C, Seymour A-M. Simultaneous measurement of intercellular Ca2+ transients and pH in isolated perfused rat heart by combined surface fluorimetry and 31P NMR spectroscopy. International Society for Heart Research, Kobe, Japan. May 1992.

Jones J A, Azzawi A, Styles P, Kemp-Harper R, Wimperis S. Multiple quantum NMR studies of the isolated rat heart. International Meeting on NMR Spectroscopy of The Royal Society of Chemistry, Swansea, Wales. July 1993.

Reynard D, Azzawi A, Styles P, Radda G K, Blake A. Cardiac Motion Analysis using Computer Tracking of tagged 1H images. MRI Cardiovascular Workshop, Society of Magnetic Resonance, Santa Fe, New Mexico. October 1994.

Reynard D, Blake A, Azzawi A, Styles P, Radda G K. Computer Tracking of Tagged H MR Images for Motion Analysis. CVRMed95, 1995

Yongbi M N, Azzawi A, Goda F, O’Hara J, Ding S, Dunn J F. High resolution in vivo 31P 1D-CSI NMR Spectroscopy of RIF-1 Tumors at 7.0T. Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Rolett E L, Azzawi A, Yongbi M N, Liu K J, Dunn J F. Response of cerebral tissue oxygenation and energy metabolism to acute hypoxia in the rat. A combined 31P-NMR and EPR oximetry study Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Ding S, Azzawi A, Alpern N, Rolett E L, Weaver J B, Dunn J F. EPI at 7 Tesla: Imaging of blood oxygen changes during hypoxia in a rat brain. Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Rolett, E.L., Azzawi, A., Liu, K.J., Yongbi, N.M., Swartz, H.M., and Dunn, J.F. (1996) In vivo response of brain tissue oxygenation and energy metabolism to acute hypoxia in the rat. in 4th Annual Meeting, Proc Int Soc Magn Reson Med, pp. 103, New York, NY, USA.

Dunn, J.F., Azzawi, A., Hoopes, P.J., and Cremillieux, Y. (1996) In vivo NMR-microscopy of rodent spine at 7T. in 4th Annual Meeting, Proc Int Soc Magn Reson Med, pp. 328, New York, NY, USA.

Rolett, E.L., Azzawi, A., Liu, K.J., Yongbi, N.M., Swartz, H.M., and Dunn, J.F. (1996) Response of tissue oxygenation and energy metabolism to acute hypoxia in the rat brain in vivo. Exp Biol. Washington, DC, USA.

Keon C, Field M L, Azzawi A, Clarke K, Radda G K. A decrease in the [Ca2+]i transients is not involved in depression of myocardial contractility caused by intracellular acidification in the isolated rat heart. British Society for Cardiovascular Research, Edinburgh, UK. October 1993.

Liu K J, Hoopes P J, Rolett E L, Beerle B, Azzawi A, Dunn J F, Goda F, Swartz H M. The effect of anesthesia on cerebral tissue oxygen and cardiopulmonary parameters in rats. International Society on Oxygen Transport to Tissue. April 1995.

Dunn J F, Grinberg O Y, Azzawi A, Swatz H, Rolett E. Correlation of muscle PO2 with ATP turnover and energetic status during isometric exercise in mice. Experimental Biology. 1995.

Dunn, J.F., Ding, S., Azzawi, A., Rolett, E.L., and Weaver, J.B. (1996) Hypoxia induced heterogeneity in cerebral vascular response measured using functional MRI. Exp Biol. Washington. DC, USA.

Dunn, J.F., Rolett, E.L., Azzawi, A., Liu, K.J., Yongbi, N.M., and Swartz, H.M. (1998) Critical pO2 in brain - a combined EPR/NMR study. EPR Workshop: studies of viable biological systems. Hanover, NH, USA.

Dunn, J.F., Rolett, E.L., Azzawi, A., Lui, K.J., and Yongbi, M.N. (1999) Critical oxygen tension in rat brain: a combined 31P-NMR and EPR oximetry study. XXVII Annual Meeting, ISOTT. Hanover, NH, USA.

Dunn J F, O’Hara J A, Yongbi M N, Goda F, Azzawi A, Swartz H. The relationship between high-energy phosphate metabolism and pO2 in RIF-1 tumors post-irradiation. Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Ding S, Cremillieux Y, Azzawi A, Weaver J B, Dunn J F. Simultaneous Diffusion and T2 imaging with a Multiple Echo DIffusion And T2 SEquence (MEDIATE). Society of Magnetic Resonance. Nice, France. August 1995.

Meyerand, M.E., Cremillieux, Y., Zaim Wadghiri, Y., Azzawi, A., Hoopes, P.J., and Dunn, J.F. (1998) Optimized gradient-echo microimaging of radiation induced demyelination in the rat spinal cord at 7T. in 6th Annual Meeting, Proc Int Soc Magn Reson Med, pp. 1345, Sydney, Australia.

Dunn, J.F., Grinberg, O.Y., Azzawi, A., Swartz, H.M., and Rolett, E.L. (1995) Correlation of muscle pO2 with ATP turnover and energetic status during isometric exercise in mice. Exp Biol. Atlanta, GA, USA.

Liu, K.J., Hoopes, P.J., Rolett, E.L., Beerle, B., Azzawi, A., Dunn, J.F., Goda, F., and Swartz, H.M. (1995) The effect of anesthesia on cerebral tissue oxygen and cardiopulmonary parameters in rats. XXIII Annual Meeting, ISOTT. Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

O'Hara, J.A., Yongbi, N.M., Goda, F., Swartz, H.M., Azzawi, A., and Dunn, J.F. (1995) The relationship between high-energy phosphate metabolism and pO2 in RIF-1 tumors post-irradiation. 44th Annual Meeting, Proc Radiat Res Soc. USA.

Dunn, J.F., O'Hara, J.A., Yongbi, N.M., Goda, F., Azzawi, A., and Swartz, H.M. (1997) The relationship between high-energy phosphate metabolism and pO2 in RIF-1 tumors post-irradiation. 14th Regional Cancer Research symposium. Burlington, VT, USA.

 

Publications - Previous

Field M L, Azzawi A, Styles P, Henderson C, Seymour A-M, Radda G K. Intracellular Ca2+ transients in isolated perfused rat heart: measurement using the fluorescent indicator Fura 2AM. Cell Calcium, 1994 Aug; 16(2):87-100

Field M L, Azzawi A, Unitt J F, Seymour A M, Henderson C, & Radda G K. Intracellular [Ca2+] staircase in the isovolumic pressure--frequency relationship of Langendorff-perfused rat heart. 1996 J Mol Cell Cardiol 28 , 65-77.

Field M L, Azzawi A, Unit J, Henderson C, Seymour A-M, Radda G K. Intracellular calcium transients in the perfused rat myocardium: effect of creatine depletion by dietary bgpa.

Rolett, E.L., Azzawi, A., Liu, K.J., Yongbi, M.N., Swartz, H.M. and Dunn, J.F. (2000) Critical oxygen tension in rat brain: a combined 31P-NMR and EPR oximetry study. Am J Physiol. 279, R9-R16.

Meyerand, M.E., Cremillieux, Y., Zaim Wadghiri, Y., Azzawi, A., Hoopes, P.J., and Dunn, J.F. (1998) In vivo gradient echo microimaging of rodent spinal cord at 7T. Magn Reson Med 40, 789-791.

Liu, K.J., Hoopes, P.J., Rolett, E.L., Beerle, B.J., Azzawi, A., Goda, F., Dunn, J.F., and Swartz, H.M. (1995) Effect of anesthesia on cerebral tissue oxygen and cardiopulmonary parameters in rats. Adv Exp Med Biol 411, 33-39.