We are delighted to publish an essay by Lesley-Ann Noel and Marcelo Paiva titled “Learning to Recognize Exclusion.” The authors pose critical questions: Who do we exclude in our work as UX researchers and designers, and how do we work toward a more inclusive research and design practice? As part of their essay, the authors provide a valuable set of tools for us to recognize exclusive practices and practical ways to promote inclusion.
The first article is by José Macías titled “Enhancing Card Sorting Dendrograms through the Holistic Analysis of Distance Methods and Linkage Criteria.” In this article, the author investigates potential issues in the creation of dendrograms (or tree diagrams) that are typically derived from card sorting studies. The author evaluates both distance methods and linkage criteria as a way to produce suitable dendrograms. This work is particularly important for usability engineers who work with card sorting data and are seeking new methods for analysis.
The second article is by Khadeeja Alkhuzai and Alena Denisova titled “Evaluating the Use of Persuasive Design Cards for Novice Designers.” The authors explore how persuasive design cards can be used to improve the design process. They share valuable insights based on four design workshops utilizing persuasive design cards. As part of the paper, the author shares 10 design card heuristics that can be used during the creation and evaluation process.
The third article by Joanie Ouellet, Jin Kang, and Audrey Girouard is titled “Cultural and Linguistic Variables in Usability Testing: A Canadian Evaluation of International Students.” The authors share the results from a usability study in which they examined how cultural and linguistic variables play an important role in usability testing. As part of their study, they analyzed data from international students coming from China, India, Nigeria, and those who are French-speaking.
