Explore the vast range of titles available.

Gamification research in educational settings has produced mixed results on student learning outcomes. Educational researchers and practitioners both struggle with identifying when, where, and how to use gamification design concepts. The present study provides findings from a meta-analysis that integrated the empirical, quantitative research on gamification in formal educational settings on student learning outcomes. This was achieved by examining the overall effect size, identifying which gamification design elements (e.g., badges) were used, and determining under what circumstances (e.g., engineering education) gamification works. The final corpus of data included 30 independent studies and associated effect sizes comparing gamification to non-gamification conditions while accounting for N  = 3083 participants. The overall effect size using a random-effects model is g  = .464 [.244 to .684] in favor of the gamification condition, which is a small to medium effect size. We examined 14 different gamification design elements (e.g., leaderboards) and showed that each leads to different effects on student learning outcomes. Further, the type of publication (e.g., journal article), student classification (e.g., undergraduate), and subject area (e.g., mathematics) are also investigated as moderators. We provide a discussion of our findings, some recommendations for future research, and some brief closing remarks.

Well-designed mobile health (mHealth) interventions support a positive user experience; however, a high rate of disengagement has been reported as a common concern regarding mHealth interventions. To address this issue, it is necessary to summarize the design features that improve user engagement based on research over the past 10 years, during which time the popularity of mHealth interventions has rapidly increased due to the use of smartphones. The aim of this review was to answer the question \"Which design features improve user engagement with mHealth interventions?\" by summarizing published literature with the purpose of guiding the design of future mHealth interventions. This review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) checklist. Databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Ovid EMBASE, and Ovid PsycINFO, were searched for English and Chinese language papers published from January 2009 to June 2019. Thematic analysis was undertaken to assess the design features in eligible studies. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess study quality. A total of 35 articles were included. The investigated mHealth interventions were mainly used in unhealthy lifestyle (n=17) and chronic disease (n=10) prevention programs. Mobile phone apps (n=24) were the most common delivery method. Qualitative (n=22) and mixed methods (n=9) designs were widely represented. We identified the following 7 themes that influenced user engagement: personalization (n=29), reinforcement (n=23), communication (n=20), navigation (n=17), credibility (n=16), message presentation (n=16), and interface aesthetics (n=7). A checklist was developed that contained these 7 design features and 29 corresponding specific implementations derived from the studies. This systematic review and thematic synthesis identified useful design features that make an mHealth intervention more user friendly. We generated a checklist with evidence-based items to enable developers to use our findings easily. Future evaluations should use more robust quantitative approaches to elucidate the relationships between design features and user engagement.

The design of electronic cigarette (EC) atomizing units has evolved since their introduction over 10 years ago. The purpose of this study was to evaluate atomizer design in ECs sold between 2011–2017. Atomizers from 34 brands representing three generations of ECs were dissected and photographed using a stereoscopic microscope. Five distinct atomizer design categories were identified in first generation products (cig-a-like/cartomizer) and three categories were found in the third generation. Atomizers in most cig-a-like ECs contained a filament, thick wire, wire joints, air-tube, wick, sheath, and fibers, while some later models lacked some of these components. Over time design changes included an increase in atomizer size; removal of solder joints between wires; removal of Polyfil fibers; and removal of the microprocessor from Vuse. In second and third generation ECs, the reservoirs and batteries were larger, and the atomizing units generally lacked a thick wire, fibers, and sheath. These data contribute to an understanding of atomizer design and show that there is no single design for ECs, which are continually evolving. The design of the atomizer is particularly important as it affects the performance of ECs and what transfers into the aerosol.

Assistive devices play a crucial role in helping individuals with impaired function to conduct activities of daily living. The application of surface electromyography technique to study forearm muscle activity in the use of assistive devices would complement kinematic studies to optimize design features of assistive devices for manipulation. This study investigates the effect of various assistive devices on forearm muscle activity of healthy people while performing activities of daily living, measured using surface electromyography technique. Primary clinical, descriptive cross-sectional study. Fourteen pairs of equivalent activities of daily living tasks, performed with and without assistive devices in 22 participants, were compared. The surface electromyography data from the MOVMUS-UJI Dataset were used. For each pair of equivalent tasks and each spot (forearm area), related-samples Wilcoxon tests were applied in p50 and p95 surface electromyography values of muscle activity. The results revealed significant differences in forearm muscle activity, primarily due to changes in grasp type or hand-object position. Some devices led to decreased muscle activity (up to 64.2%), while others resulted in increased muscle activity (up to 95.6%) depending on the task and device characteristics. The analysis of the surface electromyography recording values is useful for deciding whether an assistive device helps to reduce the effort required while performing an activities of daily living and for designing new assistive devices with features that favor the most appropriate grip type or orientation. The findings highlight the importance of personalized design for assistive devices to optimize functionality and to reduce muscular effort. Therefore, the results are beneficial for therapists prescribing assistive devices, as they assist in evaluating the specific effects on muscle activity in individual patients. This study contributes to enhance the understanding of the ergonomic implications of assistive device use for supporting individuals with impaired function in activities of daily living. •Assistive devices alter grasp and/or mechanical advantage affecting muscle activity.•Surface electromyography shows assistive device benefits for muscle activity.•Assistive device use causes reductions up to 64.2% and increases of up to 95.6%.•The results may help therapists in personalizing and prescribing assistive devices.•Assistive devices reduce demand on some muscles but may increase on others.

Embodied conversational agents (ECAs) are increasingly used in healthcare and other settings to improve self-management and provide companionship. Their ability to form close relationships with people is important for enhancing effectiveness and engagement. Several studies have looked at enhancing relationships with ECAs through design features focused on behaviours, appearance, or language. However, this evidence is yet to be systematically synthesized. This systematic review evaluates the effect of different design features on relationship quality with ECAs. A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases EMBASE, PsychInfo, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of Science in January–February 2019. 43 studies were included for review that evaluated the effect of a design feature on relationship quality and social perceptions or behaviours towards an ECA. Results synthesize effective design features and lay a scientific framework for improving relationships with ECAs in healthcare and other applications. Risk of bias for included studies was generally low, however there were some limitations in the research quality pertaining to outcome measurement and the reporting of statistics. Further research is needed to understand how to make ECAs effective and engaging for all consumers.

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a blended learning environment through analyzing the relationship between student characteristics/background, design features and learning outcomes. It is aimed at determining the significant predictors of blended learning effectiveness taking student characteristics/background and design features as independent variables and learning outcomes as dependent variables. A survey was administered to 238 respondents to gather data on student characteristics/background, design features and learning outcomes. The final semester evaluation results were used as a measure for performance as an outcome. We applied the online self regulatory learning questionnaire for data on learner self regulation, the intrinsic motivation inventory for data on intrinsic motivation and other self-developed instruments for measuring the other constructs. Multiple regression analysis results showed that blended learning design features (technology quality, online tools and face-to-face support) and student characteristics (attitudes and self-regulation) predicted student satisfaction as an outcome. The results indicate that some of the student characteristics/backgrounds and design features are significant predictors for student learning outcomes in blended learning.

Mobile payment has played a vital role in transforming traditional payment methods into digital payment methods and has led to changes in consumers’ behaviors in economic exchanges. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how perceived security influences are a sustainable use of mobile payment services. In order to examine the impact of perceived security on users’ continuous use, especially regarding mobile payment services and factors related to perceived security (i.e., perceived control, interface design features, and conscientiousness), an empirical study was conducted to collect data from 252 participants. Then, the proposed research model was examined using structural equation modelling. The results revealed that the perception of interface design features was influenced by conscientiousness. Perceived security was affected by perceived control, the perception of interface design features, and conscientiousness. Moreover, perceived security was identified to have a strong impact on continuous intention to use mobile payment. The design implications for mobile service providers and designers are presented.

A key objective of knowledge management system (KMS) implementations is to facilitate job outcomes, such as job performance and job satisfaction. Prior KMS research indicates many KMS implementations have failed to achieve their intended job outcomes, such as job performance and job satisfaction, and one important reason for failure could be that employees do not know how to use a KMS to enhance job outcomes. Given that research on this topic is scant and the findings inconsistent, this paper sought to develop a better understanding of the topic. Specifically, we examine how employees can use a small number of KMS features to get a majority of their job tasks done. Limited research has used a systematic approach to identify these features, examined drivers of using these features, and impacts of the use of such features on job outcomes. Based on a literature review, we first identified several KMS features. Then, these features were examined using a qualitative study among 35 employees in a large organization in the finance industry to identify the key KMS features that could contribute positively to job outcomes. We then developed a nomological network of KMS feature use. Leveraging social network theory, we present peer support ties in general, and help-seeking ties and help-providing ties in particular, as key drivers of the use of these features and job outcomes. We also present various competing hypotheses for the effects from peer support to KMS feature use, KMS feature use to job outcomes, and peer support to job outcomes. We conducted a quantitative study (n = 1,441) in the same organization (noted above) to validate our model. Results indicated that our model was largely supported.

The Circular Economy Action Plan adopted by the European Commission aims to keep value in products as long as possible through developing product-specific requirements for durability and repairability. In this context, various scoring systems have been developed for scoring product repairability. This study assessed the objectivity and completeness of six major repair scoring systems, to see what further development may be required to make them policy instruments for testing product repairability. Completeness of the scoring systems was assessed by comparing them to the latest literature on what design features and principles drive product repairability. Objectivity was determined by assessing whether the scoring levels in each criterion were clearly defined with a quantifiable and operator-independent testing method. Results showed that most of the criteria in the scoring systems were acceptably objective and complete. However, improvements are recommended: The health and safety criterion lacked objectivity and has not yet been fully addressed. Further research is required to expand the eDiM database, and to identify whether the additional accuracy provided by eDiM compared to disassembly step compensates for the increased difficulty in testing. Finally, assessment of reassembly and diagnosis should be expanded. Addressing these gaps will lead to the development of a scoring system that could be better used in policymaking, and for assessment by consumer organizations, market surveillance authorities, and other interested stakeholders, to promote the repairability of products.

Information systems (IS) increasingly expand actor-to-actor networks beyond their temporal, organizational, and spatial boundaries. In such networks and through digital technology, IS enable distributed economic and social actors to not only exchange but also integrate their resources in materializing value co-creation processes. To account for such IS-enabled value co-creation processes in multi-actor settings, this research gives rise to the phenomenon of digital value co-creation networks (DVNs). In designing DVNs, it is not only necessary to consider underpinning value co-creation processes, but also the characteristics of the business environments in which DVNs evolve. To this end, our study guides the design of DVNs through employing service-dominant logic, a theoretical lens that conceptualizes value co-creation as well as business environments. Through an iterative research process, this study derives design requirements and design principles for DVNs, and eventually discusses how these design principles can be illustrated by expository design features for DVNs.