Evaluating User Engagement with a Reminiscence App Using Cross-Comparative Analysis of User Event Logs and Qualitative Data.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage of a reminiscence app by people living with dementia and their family carers, by comparing event log data generated from app usage alongside the qualitative experience of the process. A cross-comparative analysis of electronic event logging data with qualitative interview data was conducted. Electronic event logging data were obtained for 28 participating dyads (n = 56) and the interview sample comprised 14 people living with dementia and 16 family carers (n = 30). A thematic analysis framework was used in the analysis of interview transcripts and the identification of recurrent themes. The cross-comparison of electronic event log data and qualitative data revealed 25 out of 28 dyads regularly engaged with a reminiscence app, with the analysis of usage patterns revealing four clusters classifying different levels of user engagement. The cross-comparison of data revealed that the nature of the relationship was a significant factor in ongoing user engagement. The comparative analysis of the electronic event logs as "ground truth" in combination with the qualitative lived experience can provide a deeper understanding on the usage of a reminiscence app for those living with dementia and their family carers. This work not only shows the benefits of using automated event log data mining but also shows its clear limitations without using complementary qualitative data analysis. As such, this work also provides key insights into using mixed methods for evaluating human-computer interaction technologies.

Multivariate Testing Confirms the Effect of Age-Gender Congruence on Click-Through Rates from Online Social Network Digital Advertisements.

A key benefit of web-based technology is the enhanced computational ability to tailor and personalize content using explicit online user profiles. While some degree of customization has long been regarded as positive, too much personalization to the point of perceived privacy intrusion can be detrimental. This study uses multivariate testing of an advertisement campaign on the online social network Facebook to investigate the extent to which digital advertising, personalized to specific age and gender group demographics (age and gender congruent) influences user engagement and increases click-through rates. The study achieved a total of 659,522 impressions (i.e., number of users who were exposed to the personalized advertisements and had the opportunity to engage). Moreover, a total of 1,733 unique clicks were recorded. Using N-1 χ2 testing, this study found that a combined age and gender congruency yielded statistically significantly greater click-through ratios in comparison to noncongruent (nonpersonalized) online advertisements (p < 0.05). As an example, the click-through rates by younger male users increased by over threefold when a young male model appeared in the imagery. The implication is that online content that is personalized to the user's age and gender demographic increases active user engagement.

Using Mobile Technology to Provide Personalized Reminiscence for People Living With Dementia and Their Carers: Appraisal of Outcomes From a Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is an international research priority. Reminiscence is an intervention that prompts memories and has been widely used as a therapeutic approach for people living with dementia. We developed a novel iPad app to support home-based personalized reminiscence. It is crucial that technology-enabled reminiscence interventions are appraised. OBJECTIVE: We sought to measure the effect of technology-enabled reminiscence on mutuality (defined as the level of "closeness" between an adult living with dementia and their carer), quality of carer and patient relationship, and subjective well-being. METHODS: A 19-week personalized reminiscence intervention facilitated by a program of training and a bespoke iPad app was delivered to people living with dementia and their family carers at their own homes. Participants (N=60) were recruited in dyads from a cognitive rehabilitation team affiliated with a large UK health care organization. Each dyad comprised a person living with early to moderate dementia and his or her family carer. Outcome measurement data were collected at baseline, midpoint, and intervention closure. RESULTS: Participants living with dementia attained statistically significant increases in mutuality, quality of carer and patient relationship, and subjective well-being (P<.001 for all 3) from baseline to endpoint. Carers attained nonsignificant increases in mutuality and quality of carer and patient relationship and a nonsignificant decrease in subjective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that individual-specific reminiscence supported by an iPad app may be efficient in the context of early to moderate dementia. A robust randomized controlled trial of technology-enabled personalized reminiscence is warranted.