title: Using virtual reality to assess user experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to discuss how user experience (UX) evaluation can benefit from the use of virtual reality (VR).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  UX is usually evaluated in laboratory settings. However, considering that UX occurs as a consequence of the interaction between the product, the user, and the context of use, the assessment of UX can benefit from a more ecological test setting. VR provides the means to develop realistic-looking virtual environments with the advantage of allowing greater control of the experimental conditions while granting good ecological validity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methods used to evaluate UX, as well as their main limitations, are identified.The currentVR equipment and its potential applications (as well as its limitations and drawbacks) to overcome some of the limitations in the assessment of UX are highlighted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relevance of VR for UX studies is discussed, and a VR-based framework for evaluating UX is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  UX research may benefit from a VR-based methodology in the scopes of user research (e.g., assessment of users' expectations derived from their lifestyles) and human-product interaction (e.g., assessment of users' emotions since the first moment of contact with the product and then during the interaction).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article provides knowledge to researchers and professionals engaged in the design of technological interfaces about the usefulness of VR in the evaluation of UX.
authors: CIPER/Ergonomics Laboratory, Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal. frebelo@fmh.utl.pt
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Rebelo
authors: Paulo
authors: P
authors: Noriega
authors: Emília
authors: E
authors: Duarte
authors: Marcelo
authors: M
authors: Soares
mesh_terms: D006804:Ergonomics; D006801:Humans; D014584:User-Computer Interface