Title:	EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF AMBIGUOUS ICONS IN MOBILE WEB INTERFACES
Author(s):	Waleed AlNuwaiser, Stephanie Wilson and George Buchanan
ISBN:	978-989-8533-79-1
Editors:	Katherine Blashki and Yingcai Xiao
Year:	2018
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Usability, Ambiguous Icons, Navigation Sequence and Mobile Context
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	75
Last Page:	84
Language:	English
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Paper Abstract:	Signs and icons are a fundamental part of the user interface (UI). They are mechanisms of interaction between humans and devices (including mobile devices), and they enable users to achieve tasks. Users typically act on icons as a consequence of their understanding of the icon’s visual representation. Meaningful icons enhance users' comprehension, whereas ambiguous icons increase users’ confusion. However, little is known about the confusion that may be caused by ambiguous icons in a sequence of interactions. In other words, there is scarce research regarding the effect of the navigational order or interaction sequence that users undertake on their interpretation of ambiguous icons. Thus, this paper explores the impact of ambiguous icons on the accuracy of users’ interpretations. Ambiguity is controlled by using pairs of visually identical icons with two different meanings. A semiotic analysis was conducted to investigate users' comprehension of the icons and elicit the causes for their interpretations. We also provide insight into the cognitive processes within working memory and the inherent deliberation, reasoning and comprehension processes that influence users’ interpretations.
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