Reconstructing experiences with iScale

We present iScale, a survey tool for the retrospective elicitation of longitudinal user experience data. iScale aims to minimize retrospection bias and employs graphing to impose a process during the reconstruction of one's experiences. Two versions, the constructive and the value-account iScale, were motivated by two distinct theories on how people reconstruct emotional experiences from memory. These two versions were tested in two separate studies. Study 1 aimed at providing qualitative insight into the use of iScale and compared its performance to that of free-hand graphing. Study 2 compared the two versions of iScale to free recall, a control condition that does not impose structure on the reconstruction process. Overall, iScale resulted in an increase in the amount, the richness, and the test–retest consistency of recalled information as compared to free recall. These results provide support for the viability of retrospective techniques as a cost-effective alternative to longitudinal studies.

► We present a survey tool for the retrospective elicitation of longitudinal UX data. ► iScale is rigorously grounded on competing theories of experience reconstruction. ► iScale employs graphing in imposing a structure in experience reconstruction. ► We report on two studies, a qualitative inquiry and an experimental study. ► iScale increased the amount, the richness and reliability of recalled information.