THE USER-INTERFACE IN COMPUTER-BASED SELECTION AND ASSESSMENT - APPLIED AND THEORETICAL PROBLEMATICS OF AN EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

Although its central role in human-computer interaction is recognized by industry, the user interface (UI) has received scant attention in t he computer-based testing (CBT) literature. Industrial and European Co mmunity ergonomic directives have been established regarding UI design issues, however, which may significantly impact upon CBT. Accordingly , the UI's CBT role is discussed regarding central CBT/UI constructs a nd dynamics. On the basis of one CBT UI design issue (here: paging) it is shown that many ergonomic regulatory definitional traps exist for the unwary CBT practitioner and UI designer. Newer UI developments in windowing technology and computer-based UI ergonomic regulation confor mance analysis are described. Finally, open issues regarding CBT UI pr oblematics are discussed, showing that, rather than continuing to lead a shadowed existence, the UI is deserving of considerably increased r esearch effort regarding its CBT impact.