Modified usability framework for disaster apps: A qualitative thematic analysis of user reviews
The public has access to a range of mobile applications (apps) for disasters. However, there has been limited academic research conducted on disaster apps and how the public perceives their usability. The study identifies new usability concerns particular to disaster apps’ use:
- content relevance depends on the app’s purpose and the proximate significance of the information to the hazard event’s time and location;
- app dependability affects users’ perceptions of usability due to the life-safety association of disaster apps;
- users perceive advertisements to contribute to their cognitive load;
- users expect apps to work efficiently without unnecessary consumption of critical phone resources;
- appropriate audio interface can improve usability, as sounds can boost an app’s alerting aspect; and, finally
- in-app browsing may potentially enhance users’ impression of the structure of a disaster app.
The modified conceptual framework proposed in this study and based on insights gathered from thematically analyzing online reviews, the authors suggest, can be used as a starting point to build a robust model for disaster app usability and to develop design guidelines and evaluation tools for disaster apps.