Using the Internet to Study Online User Behavior in Natural Settings.

About us
The Internet Based Research group, or Intres for short, is a Directed Research Group led by Professor Jan Spyridakis of the Department of Human Centered Design and Engineering at the University of Washington.

Intres studies how various design features of online information (e.g., web sites) affect users' behavior, comprehension, and perceptions. Our research focuses on refining a user model that accounts for how comprehension and navigational behavior interact in digital environments. Our approach also accounts for how a user's domain knowledge and demographics fit into the model.

Our Research Tool
We are proud to announce the creation of WebLabUX--a toolkit that dynamically generates alternative versions of a web site, delivers them randomly to participants through the Internet, and collects survey results as well as users' behavior with an information system. Our goal has been to study users interacting with information systems using their own computing environments at a time of their own choosing. The study of users in their own environments ensures high ecological and external validity of findings. Additionally, WebLabUX provides sufficient controls to increase the internal validity of findings.
Learn more about WebLabUX here

Collaborate with us
If you are interested in utilizing WebLabUX to help you assess how the design of online information affects readers, users, and learners, we are happy to schedule a meeting with you.
We are always seeking collaborative projects and funding to support our team and to further refine WebLabUX. Please contact Dr. Spyridakis at jansp@u.washington.edu for more information.

Thank you for your time and interest in WebLabUX!