A Metric-Driven Approach for Enhancing Scientific Audiovisual Interfaces

Abstract

The integration of audiovisual content has significantly enhanced the accessibility and engagement of scientific communication. In recent years, platforms for scientific communication have expanded, enabling broader reach, clearer explanations of complex topics, and greater recognition for researchers. To ensure an optimal user experience on both web platforms and mobile applications, accessible interfaces must be prioritized. Establishing user experience metrics is crucial for identifying potential shortcomings in current solutions. This study introduces and evaluates 26 metrics designed to enhance user experience. These metrics are grouped into high, medium, and low-priority levels, helping to identify critical areas for interface design improvements. An empirical evaluation was conducted across five web platforms and five mobile applications. The results revealed that the JoVE and Latest Thinking platforms offer the most adequate interfaces, while Wonder Science appears as the top-performing mobile application. The findings provide not only a comprehensive framework focused on effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction to ensure the effective dissemination of scientific knowledge through audiovisual media, but also can be used as a guide for designing interfaces that prioritize user experience. Additionally, the study stands out that, despite recent advances, accessibility remains an underestimated aspect on platforms and applications for audiovisual scientific communication, underscoring the need for further focus on inclusive design.