Usability Features to Improve Mobile Apps Acceptance among the Senior Citizens in Malaysia

Abstract

Mobile apps are designed and specifically developed for a specific purpose. They are widely used nowadays as they benefit many users of different age groups, both the old and young. Although various apps caters to the different needs of the senior citizen users are available, there is a lack in understanding of how usability features of these apps influence the acceptance among the senior citizens. Though many of the existing studies proposed several features that may be beneficial to older users, it is unclear how these features promote the acceptance of mobile apps for older users in countries like Malaysia. Aiming to address this inadequacy, the current study investigate the needs, expectations, and usability features of several mobile apps that are relevant for the Malaysian senior citizen people, aged 65 years and above. The usability evaluation of the developed prototype was performed by using the System Usability Scale (SUS). Based on results of the evaluation, it was concluded that the inclusion of an elder-friendly usability feature can increase the acceptance of mobile apps among the senior citizens.

Keywords

• usability features
• senior citizen
• system usability scale
• mobile app
• acceptance