SINGLE DISCIPLINARY PROJECT Versions

3
APPLICATION FORM
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH GRANT SCHEME (FRGS)
Skim Geran Penyelidikan Fundamental
(Pindaan 1/2012)

JABATAN PENGAJIAN TINGGI

KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN MALAYSIA

A. Application Details
Application ID 69895-87378
Reference Code FRGS/2/2014/SS02/UKM/02/3
A(i). Selected
FRGS 2014-2
Grant

A(ii). Title Of ACCESSIBILITY OF SOCIAL NETWORKING WEB-SITE FOR

Proposed VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS (VIUs) BASED ON MENTAL
Research Project REPRESENTATION

A(iii). Keyword Visual Impaired Users; Acessibility; Mental Model; Social Network

B. Details of Project Leader

B(i). Name Azizah Binti Jaafar

B(ii). Nationality Malaysia
B(iii). IC/Passport No. 560828075228
B(iv). Position Associate Professor
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
B(v). University
(UKM)
INSTITUT INFORMATIK VISUAL
B(vi). Faculty/Centre
(IVI)
B(vii). Unit

B(viii). Office Phone No. 0389118599

B(ix). Handphone No. 0133270101

B(x). E-mail Address aj@ftsm.ukm.my

B(xi). Date of first appointment with this University (tarikh

27/01/96
lantikan)

B(xii). Type of Service (Permanent/Contract) Permanent

C. Research Information
C(i). Research Cluster

Research Cluster Sub Research Cluster

Social Sciences Psychology

C(ii). Location of Research

C(iii). Duration of this research

October/2014
From

September/2016
To

Duration 2 years

C(iv). Other Researchers

Researcher Id Name IC / Passport Number: Faculty/ School/ C

23733 Norshita Bt Mat Nayan 770427025428 Universiti Kebangs

C(v). Research projects that have been completed or ongoing by project leader for the last three years

Title Grant Name Role

A Smart User Interface Tool For Sustainability Performance For Motor Impaired Users Project
Science Fund
for Learnable and Enjoyable Environment of Game-Based Learning (GBL) Leader
Sistem Pengecaman Iris berasaskan Video Melalui Imej Mata (Visible Wavelength) Project
Science Fund
''Video-based Iris Recognition SystemThrough Visible Wavelength Eye Images Leader

Malaysian Sexuality Education Courseware

DANA INOVASI PIK Project
(iPEERS)
UKM Leader

Gmae Metrics in Designing a Framework of Innovative Educational Computer Game Research University Project
Evaluation Grant Leader
geran galakan
Program peningkatan Kemahiran Pemprosesan Maklumat dan Komunikasi dikalangan Project
penyelidikan universiti-
pelajar luar bandar. Leader
komuniti

Dana Operasi Universi untuk Kumpulan Penyelidikan Web-based Educational Game

Dana Operasi Project
Design and Cognitive Walkthrough Evaluation Approach for Multimedia Software
Universiti Penyelidikan Leader
Development

C(vi). Academic publications that has been published by the project leader for the last five (5) years

Title Name of Journal

THE WEB NAVIGATION BARRIERS FACING BY BLIND USERS IN SOCIAL

Journal of Theoretical and A
NETWORKING SITES

INVESTIGATING ADAPTIVE ASEAN CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH USERS’

Journal of Theoretical and A
MENTAL MODELS FOR USER INTERFACE DESIGN

SEVERITY SCORING OF SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH CARPAL TUNNEL

Journal of Theoretical and A
SYNDROME BASED ON RECALL OF COMPUTER GAME PLAYING EXPERIENCES

Expert Evaluator Decision Tree Toolto Support Heuristics Educational Game (HEG)
Life Science Journal.
Evaluation.

Usability of Educational Computer Game (UsaECG):Quantitative Approach Pertanika Journal of Science

Integration of User Centered Game Design (UCGD) into Game Design Framework. Advances in Mechatronics a
Towards an Understanding of User Satisfaction Measurement in Online Discussion Site
International Journal of Educ
(ODS) Design using Rasch Analysis
 Proceedings of the Internatio
User Friendly Interface for Young Dyslexic.
Computing and Communica
The Impact of CTS on Computer-Games Playing: A Study Among Malaysian University Proceedings of the Internatio
Students. Computing and Communica
Proceedings of he 12th Inter
Prioritization of Playability Heuristic Evaluation for Educational Computer Games (PHEG)
Hierarchy Process. Multi-crit
Technique using Analytic Hierarchy Process.
Kuala Lumpur
Penambahbaikan Antara Muka Sistem Penilaian Pengajaran Kursus (SPPK) UKM. Journal of Teaching and Lea

Institut Informatik Visual: Pelan strategik 2013-2018 Book

Towards an Understanding of User Satisfaction Measurement in Online Discussion Site International Journal of Educ
(ODS) Design using Rasch Analysis 2013

A Proposed MobileSchool System for Requirements of Secondary Schools in Malaysia Journal of Software

Isu kepenggunaan dalam sistem pengurusan pengajaran dan pembelajaran interaktif. Dalam
Mercu kesarjanaan pengajaran dan pembelajaran: penyelidikan tindakan di institusi Chapter in Books
pengajian tinggi.

Human Computer Interface: Visually Impaired Users’ Mental Model and Navigation Behavior
GSTF Journal of Computing
on News Web Site.

User Acceptance of Educational Games: A Revised Unified Teory of Acceptance and Ude of
World Academy of Science a
Technology (UTAUT).

Kemahiran Maklumat dan Komunikasi: Teori dan Amalan. Version 3. Book

C(vii). Executive Summary of Research Proposal

(Please include the problem statement, objectives, research methodology, expected output/outcomes/implication, and signific
This research is aimed to investigate the navigation behavior, the accessibility and the usability of a social network web p
Currently, VIUs use screen reader tools with speech and braille output or both to access the web contents. Some of th
descriptive graphics, video and audio content without captioning, and overly complex screen layout of the pages. Interface
as well. As a result, this method is found annoying by visually impaired users who listening to paragraph text. Which is follow
far from accessible. A conducted initial study found the existence of navigation barrier whereby the visually impaired u
problems occur due to overly complex page layout. The aim of this study is to investigate, understand, analyze, creates m
among active non-sighted web site users. To enhance the study , three research objectives are designed; i. to identify criteri
navigating and exploring the social network websites. ii. to analyze mental representation produced by the visual impaired
mental representation model of the visual impaired in a social network website. The research methodology is design based
on questionnaires, observations by video-capturing VIU behaviors during conducting specified tasks and at the same time
Electroencephalogram. The measurement is conducted using NeuroHarmony device. This new research approach is e
usability problems among the visually impaired users.

C(viii). Detail Planning

(a) Research background

1. Problem Statement
There are various problems facing by VIUs when accessing web site by using screen reader. A preliminary study conduc
Association (MAB) and National Blind Council Malaysia (NCBM) on the VIUs to explore the problems. Questions on usa
experience when accessing web sites by using screen reader. Based on their explanation, more problems (Bavani & Azi
learnability, memorability and efficiency. These similar problems faced by majority of visually impaired were found through t
navigation. Due to navigation barrier, the visually impaired users could not parse the web page fully or continue to other we
due to overly complex page layout.

Every user is having different navigation behavior based on their mental representation of a web page. There is lack of res
users with vision impairment on different types of web sites. Understanding the navigation behavior of VIUs on different type
the accessibility and usability of web pages. Besides, guidelines, regulations and laws are available to ensure the designe
guidelines and regulations are not comprehensively covering the challenges and the needs of visually impaired users.

2. Hypothesis
Several hypothesis are developed based on the above research questions and they are as followings:
Several hypothesis are developed based on the above research questions and they are as followings:
H01: There is no navigation strategy used by the visually impared user when using social networkong website.
H02: The similarities in the format of the representations between the impaired and sighted users are not significant.
H03: The navigability is not significantly influence by the mental representation of the visually impaired users.

3. Research Questions
This research intends to answer a number of specific research questions as follows: -
• What are the criteria for accessibility and usability of social networking web sites for VIUs?
• How VIUs represent the content of social networking web sites in their mental?
• Are there similarities in the format of these representations to the one constructed by the sighted users?

4. Literature Reviews
Introduction
Acessibility is defined base on ISO/TC 16027 as “Accessibility is the usability of a product, service, environment or facilit
Although "accessibility" typically addresses users who have a disability, the concept is not limited to disability issues.” W
“Usability: extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals with effectiveness, efficien
Generally, having alternate text description on image may be accessible to VIUs, however if the text description is meaningl
then it is not usable. There are five factors of usability such as easy to learn, quickly to use, simple to remember, easy to n
perspective, usability is important because it can make the difference between performing a task effectively and comp
frustrated [5]. It makes a website accessible allows someone who is blind to use it with a screen reader. However, making
navigate the website, learn from it, and enjoy using it without any barrier.

Web and VIUs

Web has become the most valuable creation for VIUs interact with anyone from all over the world. The VIUs could acces
assistive technologies are available in the market today. Basically, VIUs will use screen reader with speech and braille outp
reader such as JAWS [13] using the visual cursor where it able to read the html code too by using access methods
technologies mainly based on voice synthesis and other audible feedbacks were studied by several reseachers (James, 199
Mynatt & Edwards, 1992; Nomad, 1999; Pitt & Edwards, 1996; Raman, 1996). These technologies were quite effective b
translating a textual interface (usually sequential) into voice. However, this process is not so efficient when some of the web
descriptive graphics, video and audio content without captioning, and overly complex screen layout on the pages. Interfac
well. As a result, this method is found annoying by VIUs who listening to paragraph text which is followed by repetitions of ke

According to the Welfare Community Department of Malaysia, statistics for the year 2007 shows that the total number of dis
are the VIUs [15]. However, three-quarters of Malaysian websites [30] are not completely accessible to VIUs. Furtherm
conform to standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which is providing guidelines for the designing an
communication medium to everyone, disabilities also should be given equal access and opportunities to access the webs
new in Malaysia, there are some accessible websites in Malaysia that should be examples for other web designers.

5. Relevance to Goverment Policy, if any

This study is conducted inline with one of NKEA focus area in Content Communication & Infrastructure and the national IC
rakyat either they are sighted or non-sighted (visually impaired) and whether they are in urban or in rural area. The study wi
on selected social networking web sites in more detail. A thorough study on VIU’s mental representation will be carrying
important to the web usability and accessibility as it extends the knowledge on requirement of the web for VIUs. Therefor
experiences and problems, will help to raise awareness among web designers, educators and others. As a contribution, a
will be proposed at the end of this research. The mental representation model will be provided based their navigation beh
mental representation model will help us to understand the way of VIUs ‘visualize’ social networking web sites and
representation model. The results of the study will shed light on the usability and accessibility issues and guidelines concern
web designers to improve their design on web page and navigation structure especially on social networking web sites.
develop an automated method or system to measure the accessibility and usability of the pages either in social or other netw

(b) References
1. Design, F. (2005). Introduction To Usability. Retrieved August 8, 2009, from Usabilityfirst: http://www.usabilityfirst.com/intr
2. Ijsselsteijn, W., De Kortn, Y., Poels, K., Jurgelionis, A. & Bellotti, F. (2007) Characterising and Measuring User Experien
Advances in Computer Entertainment Technology. Salzburg, Austria, ACM Press.
3. James, F. (1998). Lessons from Developing Audio HTML Interfaces. Proc. ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (A
4. Jeffrey P. Bigham, C. M. (2008). WebAnywhere: a screen reader on-the-go. Proceedings of the 2008 international cross-d
(pp. 73-82 ). Beijing, China: ACM..
5. JKM. (n.d.). Statistic. Retrieved October 21, 2008, from IrcMalaysia: http://www.ircmalaysia.com/jkm.
6. Kamel, H. M., Roth, P., & Sinha, R. R. (2001). Graphics and Users Exploration via Simple Sonics (GUESS): Providing I
visual Environment. Proceedings of the 2001 International Conference on Auditory Display, Espoo, Finland, July 29-Augu
http://www.acoustics.hut.fi/icad2001/proceedings/papers/kamel.pdf.
7. TecAccess. (n.d.). Accessibility VS Usability. Retrieved April 18, 2010, from TecAccess: http://www.tecaccess.net/content
8. Timbuong, J. (2008). Blind the needs of the visually handicapped. Retrieved August 10, 2008, from Thestar: http://star-tec
9. Raman, T. V. (1996). Emacspeak - Direct Speech Access. Proc. ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (ASSETS),
9. Raman, T. V. (1996). Emacspeak - Direct Speech Access. Proc. ACM Conference on Assistive Technologies (ASSETS),
10. Lee, H & Seo, S. (2010). A Comparison and Analysis of Usability Methods for Web Evaluation: The Relationship
Characteristics (EEG, ECG): Proceeding of the 2010 Conference of The Design Research. 7-9 July 2010. Society. Universit

(c) Objective (s) of the Research

This study embarks on the following objectives:

• to identify and and understand the strategies used by the visual impaired users (VIUs) to represent space in social network
• to analyze mental and behavior representation produced by the VIUs in social network in social network websites.
• To propose an effective representation model of the VIUs in accessibility of social network websites.

(d) Methodology:

1. Description of Methodology
The research methodology will be conducted base on the elements below and the relationship of them can be seen in Figure
• Design a conceptual framework
The conceptual framework is designed base on theories discussed in literature review
• Develop a methodology of research
Base on a conceptual framework, a methodology of research is designed and developed. A technique which is called a tr
techniques including; experiments, observations using bio-signal device, interviews and questionnaires are used to yield goo
• Sampling
In the first phase of research, 20 visually impaired user respondents where, most of them come from Malaysia Blind Ass
Malaysia (NCBM) which is located in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Several respondents (5) are also taken from St Nic
respondents(5) from Sabah Society for Blinds (ShAB) located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. In the second phase of researc
selected for usability and evaluation testing on selected social networking web sites.
• Research Instruments
A set of questionnaires, semi-structured questions for interview and specified tasks are designed and validated. Initially, pilo
before the real survey and experiments being carried out in full scale on the respondents. All the techniques are integrate
technique. Guides and instructions will be used to collect data on users perceive and interpret the information from the lay
during usability testing and web page evaluation to analyze feedback from the users.
• Research Procedure
An experimental study of web page evaluation will be carried out by instructing the target group to accomplish the given ta
experimental session will begin once the participants first explored and interacted quietly with the web page in order to creat
• Mapping and Modeling Mental Model
Mapping mental representations involves cognitive mapping, which refers to the process through which spatial kno
representation or "cognitive map". It involves at least two types of representations--those that are based on routes and those
• Data Collection
The data collection for this research will be conducted through observation and experimentation of VIUs’ behavior. Resea
participant in every session, making observation and asking them questions in order to gain deeper understanding of the pa
by the target group will be recorded by video camera and by using screen-recording software (if available).
• Data Analysis
Analysis will be done based on users’ behavior and reaction on selected web site. Scientific results will be produced throu
social networking web sites sighted and non-sighted users.
• Report

2. Flow Chart of Research Activities 2014 FRGS PROJECT ACTIVITY flow chart Appenndix A.

3. Research Activities

Activity

To identify problem statement base on literature review

Design the conceptual framework of the research based on the Literature Review

Identify constructs and criteria

Develop a framework model

Develop the instrument

Conduct the test in the field

Interpret and Analysis data

Conclusion and Report writing

Conclusion and Report writing

 Conclusion and Report writing

4. Milestones and Dates

Description Date Cumulative Project Completion Perc

Constructs and criteria identified 30/04/2015 30

Instrument developed 31/12/2015 55

Testing conducted 31/05/2016 80

Report writing 30/09/2016 100

Gantt Chart of Research Activities with Milestones

Constructs and criteria identified

Instrument developed

To identify problem statement base on literature review

Design the conceptual framework of the research based on the Literature Review

Identify constructs and criteria

Develop a framework model

Develop the instrument

Conduct the test in

10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2
2014 2015

(e) Expected Results/Benefit

1. Novel theories/New findings/Knowledge

Mental Representation Model of VIUs
An Instrument to measure accessibility and usability for the VIUs
Guidelines to improve accessibility of VIUs.

2. Research Publications
Journal 3
Proceedings 3
Chapter in Book 1
Total Number of Publications: 7
Total Number of Publications: 7

3. Specific or Potential Applications

The extension of this research with another future grant has a potential to produce an application. for VIUs.
Total Number of Applications: 1

4. Number of PhD and Masters (by research) Students

Number of PhD Students:
1
Number of Masters (by research) Students:
1
Remark (if any):
1 PhD and 1 Masters that are experts in blind users

5. Impact on Society, Economy and Nation

To close the digital divide among all users either sighted or non-sighted and whether they are in urban or rural area as in line

6. Intellectual Property(IP)
Copyright for the research method
Total Number of IP: 1

D. Access to Equipment & Material

Type Description Owner Location Address

The Observer XT is a software MTDC-

Institute of 43600
Observer XT package for the collection, analysis, UKM,
Visual UKM,
System and presentation of observational UKM,
Informatics Bangi
data. Bangi

Facial Electromyography (or fEMG)

is a precise and sensitive method to
measure emotional expression.
fEMG is capable of registering the MTDC-
Institute of 43600
fEMG (Facial response even when subjects were UKM,
Visual UKM,
Electromyography) instructed to inhibit their emotional UKM,
Informatics Bangi
expression. It is also able to Bangi
measure facial muscle activities to
even weakly evocative emotional
stimuli

MTDC-
Institute of 43600
UKM,
Neuroharmony Brain Activation Measurement Visual UKM,
UKM,
Informatics Bangi
Bangi

E. Budget

Year Year Grand

Budget Type Description -
1 2 Total

11000 - Salary and Wages GRA 18000 18000 36000

(39.13%)
Vot-Total
18000 18000 36000

21000 - Travelling and i. Field Work: 5000 3000

Transportation Kuala Lumpur, P. 8000
Transportation Kuala Lumpur, P. 8000
Local
Pinang dan Sabah

ii. Konferens: Locals 3000 7000

10000
and Overseas

(19.57%)
Sub-Total 8000
10000 18000

Overseas 0

Sub-Total 0 0 (0.00%) 0

Field work 0

Sub-Total 0 0 (0.00%) 0

(19.57%)
Vot-Total 8000
10000 18000

24000 - Rental i. Seminar Rooms 1000 1000 2000

ii. Car Rentals for 1500 1500

3000
Field Work

(5.43%)
Vot-Total 2500 2500
5000

27000 - Research Materials and i. Reference books, 1000 1000

2000
Supplies journals online

ii. Stationaries and 1500 1500

3000
toner

(5.43%)
Vot-Total 2500 2500
5000

Maintenance of old 2000 1000

28000 - Maintenance and Minor
instruments and 3000
Repair Services
computers

(3.26%)
Vot-Total 2000 1000
3000

29000 - Professional Services

Services/Consultancy Publication fees 4000 4000 8000

Experts for VIU from 5000 2000

professionals and
7000
blind associations
locals and overseas

(16.30%)
Sub-Total 9000 6000
15000

Short term course 0

Sub-Total 0 0 (0.00%) 0

(16.30%)
Vot-Total 9000 6000
15000

35000 - Accessories 5000

and Equipment
35000 - Accessories and i. Laptop with the
5000
Equipment requirements for
audio equipments for
VIUs

ii. JAWS: Software 5000

5000
for screen Reader

(10.87%)
Vot-Total 0
 (10.87%)
Vot-Total 0
10000 10000

(100.00%)
Grand Total 52000 40000 92000

F. Declaration
1. All information stated here are accurate, KPM and IPT has right to reject or to cancel the
offer without prior notice if there is any inaccurate information given.
2. Application of this fundamental research is presented for the Fundamental Research Grant
Scheme (FRGS).
3. Application of this fundamental research is also presented for the other research grant/s
(grant's name and total amount)
4. Project Leader have ongoing Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) project.

Name: Azizah Binti Jaafar Signature:

Date: 23/07/2014

Appendix

Appendix Name File Name

A QUOTATION JAWS Quotation-1.pdf

B FLOW CHART 2014 FRGS PROJECT ACTIVITY flow chart Appenndix A.pdf

Application Form Submission

Status Draft

Application Date 23/07/2014

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