How Can Websites Design Be Improved by the Study of Ergonomics - Research Paper Example

With the advancement in technology, the trend for using computer devices has shifted to portable devices from personal computers and laptops. Hillen highlights that HIS iSuppli Research reported in 2012, the worst decrease in laptop and personal computer sale since after 2001. However, this decrease can be associated with an increase in the sale of mobile phones, touchpads and similar handheld devices offering similar or more features to the users as in personal computers. This increase in the use of portable devices has presented an increase in problems associated with ergonomics especially for websites (Smith and Carayon 297).

They further highlight that more research has been carried out in ergonomics design of web for the desktop PCs, very little attention has been given to ergonomics design aspects of the web for these portable devices whose means and methods for web interaction considerably vary from conventional devices. For example, some portable devices use the thumb as the primary source of input (Pascoe et al 320). Although, this design free another hand for web browsing but results in tendonitis due to over-usage (Brasington 1473).

Most portable devices use one or both hands for web browsing and data input like Personal Digital Assistant is held in one hand while a stylus is used with another hand for browsing, Blackberry uses both thumbs for data input, Tablets or Touchpads rest over the forearm allowing other hands for data input. New devices called smartphones are emerging with features that combine both the computers and mobiles allowing an increase in user web interaction. In the advent of the internet, website ergonomics for handheld devices can be defined as the ability of the website to respond to the requirements of users and provide comfort during web browsing.

Jones et al highlight that handheld devices result in more scrolling up and down and to left and right (1129-1137). The main problem is that browsing on handheld devices has become a miniature of web browsing on personal desktop computers thus resulting in more fatigue and inconvenience to the users. These web designs impede overall context offering and fail to accommodate space for complex data (Good et al. 585-589).