The Development and Validation of an Enhanced Usability Method (EUM) for User-Centered Electronic Systems in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The rapid digital transformation of higher education institutions intensifies the need for reliable usability assessment frameworks for electronic systems. Most often existing usability evaluation models fail to address the institutional complexities, user diversity, and operational requirements of university environments. This study proposes and validates an Enhanced Usability Method (EUM) specifically designed for assessing user-centered electronic systems in higher education institutions. The study employed a mixed-methods research design with 100 participants composed of students, faculty members, and administrative staff from North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU). The proposed EUM integrates Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles, User-Centered Design (UCD), and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to evaluate usability dimensions including feature compatibility, interface usability, scalability, implementation efficiency, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user satisfaction. Analysis of Quantitative data uses descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, while qualitative feedback was subjected to a thematic analysis. Results show high usability ratings for the university electronic systems, particularly in learnability, task completion, and user satisfaction. Furthermore, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness had significantly influenced user acceptance and satisfaction. The findings demonstrated that the EUM provides a more comprehensive and adaptable framework for evaluating electronic systems in academic institutions. The study contributes to the growing body of usability research through the proposed context-specific usability assessment model suitable for higher education environments.