Design, development and evaluation of a web application that supports a social network for scientific Math-related content

• Κύριος συγγραφέας: Καποδίστρια, Ιωάννα
• Άλλοι συγγραφείς: Κapodistria, Ioanna
• Γλώσσα: English
• Έκδοση: 2023
• Θέματα: Web applications; Q&A forums; Reputation systems; Ecological validity; Διαδικτυακή εφαρμογή

This dissertation focused on the development and evaluation of MathOverflow, a web-based question and answer (Q&A) app designed specifically for math-related content. The objective of MathOverflow is to create a dedicated platform for students, educators, and math enthusiasts to engage in collaborative problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and community building. The thesis discusses the limitations and potential challenges encountered during the development process and presents the results and methodology of the evaluation. The evaluation, which ensured ecological validity, involved the participation of 100 users who actively utilized MathOverflow in real-world conditions. By engaging participants in their natural environments, the study aimed to capture authentic user experiences and behaviours on the platform. Real data collected during the evaluation allowed for an assessment of the app's effectiveness and usability in practical settings. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of web-based Q&A platforms for mathematical knowledge management and exchange. The statistical analysis revealed a high average SUS score of 81.6250, indicating that participants perceived the system or interface usability as relatively high. Additionally, the chi-square analysis explored the relationship between variables such as voting time, prior experience with Q&A applications, and education level. These findings provide insights into the influence of these variables on user behavior and interaction within the web application. Furthermore, the document presents the architecture of MathOverflow, highlighting the technologies used in its development, and provides an overview of the app's various functions and features. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on the technical aspects of the application's implementation and showcases its capabilities in supporting efficient mathematical collaboration and problem-solving.