Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Identification of Circular RNAs using RNA Sequencing
Published on: November 14, 2019
Usability evaluation of circRNA identification tools: Development of a heuristic-based framework and analysis
Guilherme Bauer-Negrini1, Guilherme Cordenonsi da Fonseca2, Carmem Gottfried1
1Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorder (GETTEA), Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS). Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600 CEP, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600 CEP, 90035-003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Brasil, 4365 CEP, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
A new framework evaluates the usability of bioinformatics tools for identifying circular RNAs (circRNAs). This heuristic-based approach highlights common issues in circRNA identification software, aiding researchers in development.
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Biology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNA molecules with roles in gene regulation and human diseases.
- Identifying circRNAs relies heavily on computational analysis of RNA sequencing data.
- Usability issues in bioinformatics software can hinder research progress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a heuristic-based framework for evaluating the usability of command-line circRNA identification software.
- To identify and categorize usability problems in existing circRNA identification tools.
Main Methods:
- Heuristics evaluation was employed to assess a sample of circRNA identification tools.
- Usability issues were systematically identified and documented across the selected software.
Main Results:
- A total of 46 usability issues were identified across four different circRNA identification tools.
- Most issues were cosmetic or minor, impacting novice users more than experienced ones.
- Severe issues affecting documentation and installability were also found, posing risks to all users.
Conclusions:
- The developed framework provides a formal description of usability problems in circRNA research software.
- This framework aims to assist researchers in evaluating and improving the usability of their software during development.
More Related Videos
10:27In Silico Identification and Characterization of circRNAs During Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: October 21, 2022
09:06High-throughput Identification of Gene Regulatory Sequences Using Next-generation Sequencing of Circular Chromosome Conformation Capture 4C-seq
Published on: October 5, 2018