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Designing User Interfaces for Illiterate and Semi-Literate Users: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Nazrul Islam
  • Nafiz Imtiaz Khan
  • Toki Tahmid Inan
  • Iqbal H. Sarker

Abstract

Using a systematic literature review, this review examines existing studies on the design, usability, user experience (UX), and adoption of computer applications designed for illiterate and semi-literate users. A total of 45 articles were reviewed from an initial set of 527 articles following an inclusion-exclusion criterion. As outcomes, in addition to synthesizing the present research activities, this review revealed a total of 16 design considerations or guidelines that may improve the usability, user experience, and adoption of software systems to illiterate and semi-literate people. The revealed design considerations were also investigated concerning the country context and application platform. Finally, a set of good rules categorized into five perspectives (uses of text, interaction pattern, uses of pictography, uses of audio-video, and info-architecture) were revealed to design and evaluate software systems to make them more usable to the illiterate and semi-literate users. The review also reveals future research opportunities that include: exploring the design considerations with respect to context-dependent applications; investigating the design requirements for public IT (e.g., vending machines and kiosks) systems; adopting the semiotic concept in UI design; developing a new usability evaluation framework; and exploring the effects of multi-platform and cross-country app design. Thus, the implication of this study is to discover the research gaps and provide future research directions aiming to design applications for illiterate and semi-literate users with enhanced usability and UX.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Nazrul Islam & Nafiz Imtiaz Khan & Toki Tahmid Inan & Iqbal H. Sarker, 2023. "Designing User Interfaces for Illiterate and Semi-Literate Users: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:2:p:21582440231172741
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231172741
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