CPSC 681: Background Readings in Human Computer Interaction

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The list below covers the basics of human computer interaction. If you do not have a formal background in HCI and/or you did not take an undergraduate course in HCI, you should read the first two books in the list, and at least one of the text books. I suggest you at least scan the other background books as well. They will give you greater depth of understanding in the field, and will help you pursue the topics presented in this course.

I have many other terrific books on HCI on both general and specialized topics. I will gladly direct you to those as needed. You are welcome to peruse my HCI library, where books are located in MS 680. There are rules for how to sign them out, but you may freely borrow any book from me.

Some standard HCI textbooks

Shneiderman, B. (2009) Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human-Computer Interaction (5th Edition), Addison-Wesley

  • An excellent introductory book to human-computer interaction.

Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G. and Beale, R. (2003) Human-computer interaction, Prentice Hall, Hertfordshire, UK. 2nd Edition

  • A solid textbook on human/computer interaction.

Preece, J. (1994) Human Computer Interaction. Addison Wesley

  • Another classic textbook for undergraduate HCI. It is at its best as an introduction to topics rather than an in-depth treatment of them.

General background to HCI: Must reads

Norman, D. A. (1988) The Design of Everyday Things, Basic Books, NY

  • This book talks about design of many things, from doors to telephones to computers. The book is a delightful and easy to read; you will enjoy it!.

Nielsen, J. (1993) Usability Engineering, Academic Press.

  • If there is any such thing as a practitioners guide to usability engineering, this is it. Its also one of our course textbooks.

Baecker, R., Grudin, J., Buxton, W., and Greenberg, S. (1995) Readings in Human Computer Interaction: Towards the Year 2000 (2nd Edition), Morgan Kaufmann.

  • A collection of papers and area overviews. Although lengthy to read from cover to cover, it is a good reference set for exploring basic and advanced topics.