Usability and Frustration in Using Adaptive Functions for Decision Making: A User Study

Information Systems (IS) are vital for a wide range of applications, particularly those that prioritize safety and rely heavily on them for their effectiveness and reliability. While several advantages are associated with them, there is an increasing apprehension regarding their safety consequences. Despite extensive research and publication on the safety advantages of IS, several case studies have shown distinct, potentially life-threatening problems and safety dangers associated with IS. Accidents occur when there is a disparity between the user’s perception of the situation and the actual state of the regulated or managed process. This is remarkably accurate for accidents involving user interactions and safety information systems. To mitigate this issue, this research suggests implementing a Self-Adaptive System (SAS). This advanced technology has the potential to autonomously adapt to dynamic events and environments, thereby significantly enhancing usability and reducing user frustration. Our study, which utilized SAS software, aimed to assess the influence of user usability and frustration. In this design, the IS automatically adjusts its information content and navigation structure based on the circumstances of its use, such as compensating for user distraction. To verify the validity of our findings, we conducted a controlled experiment. The investigation aimed to determine whether an SAS, which possesses knowledge of interruptions, enhances usability and reduces frustration levels compared to non-adaptive systems (NAS). The controlled trial results indicated that individuals using the SAS exhibited better usability than those using the NAS and experienced significantly less frustration than a specific type of NAS.