poor usability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poor usability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a product, system, or interface that is difficult to use or not user-friendly. Example: "The software's poor usability led to frustration among users, who found it challenging to navigate its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Many respondents cited poor usability, time-consuming data entry, needless alerts and poor work flows.

The New York Times

Poor usability is one of the major barriers for optimally using electronic health records (EHRs).

International Journal of Medical Informatics

Poor usability reflects difficulty in evaluating what was done, in reusing the methodology to assess reproducibility, and in incorporating the evidence into systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Nature

Similarly, functional requirements and standards for usability can help address the multitude of sequelae associated with poor usability.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Poor usability of health technology is thought to diminish work system performance, increase error rates and, potentially, harm patients.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Poor usability is one of the core barriers to adoption and a deterrent to its routine use.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

This may be due both to technological factors, i.e. poor systems usability, and organizing factors, i.e. clear separation between design department and quality control department.

Precision Engineering

However, issues with poor system usability resulted in clinicians employing informal workarounds to accommodate a system that was viewed as lacking fitness for purpose and increasing workloads and stress levels, as well as taking time away from patient care.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Many barriers have been identified [ 17, 18], particularly, too frequent or false alarms, lack of co-ordination between nurses and physicians, poor interface usability, time pressures, and inadequate training [ 19- 22].

BMC Health Services Research

In other words, it's a feature-poor but usability-rich blogging service similar to Tumblr and others.

TechCrunch

(2) How good (or poor) is their usability?

Government Information Quarterly

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing software or systems, be specific about the elements contributing to "poor usability". For example, instead of stating "the software has poor usability", specify "the software's cluttered interface and unintuitive navigation contribute to poor usability".

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a product as having "poor usability" without providing concrete examples. Vague statements lack impact; instead, identify specific design flaws, confusing workflows, or accessibility issues to clearly demonstrate the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poor usability" functions as a noun phrase, where "poor" modifies the noun "usability". It's used to describe a deficiency or inadequacy in the ease of use and effectiveness of a system, product, or interface. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "poor usability" is a frequently used phrase that effectively communicates that a system or product is difficult to use. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and academic discussions. To improve communication, it's crucial to provide specific examples of what contributes to the "poor usability" rather than simply stating the issue. Alternatives such as "bad user experience" or "difficult to use" can be employed for variety. Ultimately, understanding and addressing "poor usability" is vital for creating effective and user-friendly designs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

User-unfriendly

A straightforward term indicating a lack of user-centered design.

Bad user experience

Focuses on the user's overall experience being negative.

Difficult to use

Highlights the effort required to operate the system or product.

Subpar user interface

Specifically targets the quality of the user interface.

Awkward interface

Describes the interface as clumsy and not smooth.

Unintuitive design

Emphasizes that the design does not align with user expectations.

Complicated functionality

Focuses on the complexity of the features and how they operate.

Clunky design

Implies that the design is heavy and not well-integrated.

Inefficient operation

Highlights the time and resources wasted because of the design.

Ineffective interface

Highlights that the interface does not accomplish its intended goal.

FAQs

How can I describe the opposite of "poor usability"?

The opposite of "poor usability" can be described as "excellent usability", user-friendly design, or intuitive interface.

What are some common causes of "poor usability" in software?

Common causes include cluttered interfaces, unintuitive navigation, inconsistent design elements, and lack of user testing.

In what contexts is the phrase "poor usability" most often used?

The phrase is frequently used in discussions about software design, website development, and user experience (UX) research.

How does "poor usability" affect user satisfaction?

"Poor usability" often leads to frustration, decreased efficiency, and a negative perception of the product or service. It can be improved by focusing on "enhanced usability" and user-centered design principles.