Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Drivers’ Attitudes Towards General Usability of Smart Technology Specific to the Secondary Task of Texting While Driving

Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Drivers’ Attitudes Towards General Usability of Smart Technology Specific to the Secondary Task of Texting While Driving

Indira Maharaj

Florida Institute of Technology

The purpose of this study was to assess the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the drivers’ attitudes towards general usability of smart technology specific to the secondary task of texting while driving for University students, age 18-35, at the Florida Institute of Technology main Campus in Melbourne, Florida. A mixed methods research design was utilized to gather data. The qualitative data was measured using content analysis, and the quantitative data was measured using descriptive analysis. The general consensus of both the quantitative and qualitative data showed that the majority of participants were satisfied with using smart tech to assist with the task of texting while driving. While there are certain similarities between this current study and previous studies, there are also certain differences as well. This study focused specifically on the smart technology and its reception as opposed to the participant, or human user. The general trend of this study is that even though participants agreed that modifications could be made, they still expressed a level of fondness with regards to using smart technology regardless of its flaws.

Keywords: Smart technology, secondary task, general usability