Objective usability evaluation of drywall screwdriver under consideration of the user experience

During validation of power tools, one objective is to determine the usability of the device for several applications. A common way to gain this user knowledge is to carry out tests under laboratory conditions with non-professional craftsmen, whereby a non-professional user does not work and evaluate a power tool similarly to a professional. Therefore an experimental study was conducted to investigate the possibility of training non-professionals in the professional working methods and evaluation of relevant key criteria for drywall screwdrivers. 39 subjects were divided into three groups and trained in the professional use of a drywall screwdriver. Results indicate that targeted training significantly improves the professional way of working (professional hand position p = 0.000, β = -0.764) and evaluation (testing of mass distribution p = 0.000, β = -0.731) of a drywall screwdriver. The gained knowledge can be used for the implementation of objective usability test-environments to derive specific and differentiated user-centered development potentials under laboratory conditions.