App Quality.
| Mars Subscale | Criterion | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Functionality | Performance: How accurately/fast do the app features (functions) and components (buttons/menus) work? 1 = App is broken; no/insufficient/inaccurate response (e.g. crashes/bugs/broken features, etc.) 2 = Some functions work, but lagging or contains major technical problems 3 = App works overall. Some technical problems need fixing/Slow at times 4 = Mostly functional with minor/negligible problems 5 = Perfect/timely response; no technical bugs found/contains a “loading time left” indicator |
|
| Functionality | Ease of use: How easy is it to learn how to use the app; how clear are the menu labels/icons and instructions? 1 = No/limited instructions; menu labels/icons are confusing; complicated 2 = Useable after a lot of time/effort 3 = Useable after some time/effort 4 = Easy to learn how to use the app (or has clear instructions) 5 = Able to use app immediately; intuitive; simple |
|
| Functionality | Navigation: Is moving between screens logical/accurate/appropriate/ uninterrupted; are all necessary screen links present? 1 = Different sections within the app seem logically disconnected and random/confusing/navigation is difficult 2 = Usable after a lot of time/effort 3 = Usable after some time/effort 4 = Easy to use or missing a negligible link 5 = Perfectly logical, easy, clear and intuitive screen flow throughout, or offers shortcuts |
|
| Functionality | Gestural design: Are interactions (taps/swipes/pinches/scrolls) consistent and intuitive across all components/screens? 1 = Completely inconsistent/confusing 2 = Often inconsistent/confusing 3 = OK with some inconsistencies/confusing elements 4 = Mostly consistent/intuitive with negligible problems 5 = Perfectly consistent and intuitive |
|
| Aesthetics | Layout: Is arrangement and size of buttons/icons/menus/content on the screen appropriate or zoomable if needed? 1 = Very bad design, cluttered, some options impossible to select/locate/see/read device display not optimized 2 = Bad design, random, unclear, some options difficult to select/locate/see/read 3 = Satisfactory, few problems with selecting/locating/seeing/reading items or with minor screen size problems 4 = Mostly clear, able to select/locate/see/read items 5 = Professional, simple, clear, orderly, logically organized, device display optimized. Every design component has a purpose |
|
| Aesthetics | Graphics: How high is the quality/resolution of graphics used for buttons/icons/menus/content? 1 = Graphics appear amateur, very poor visual design—disproportionate, completely stylistically inconsistent 2 = Low quality/low resolution graphics; low quality visual design—disproportionate, stylistically inconsistent 3 = Moderate quality graphics and visual design (generally consistent in style) 4 = High quality/resolution graphics and visual design—mostly proportionate, stylistically consistent 5 = Very high quality/resolution graphics and visual design—proportionate, stylistically consistent throughout |
|
| Aesthetics | Visual appeal: How good does the app look? 1 = No visual appeal, unpleasant to look at, poorly designed, clashing/mismatched colors 2 = Little visual appeal—poorly designed, bad use of color, visually boring 3 = Some visual appeal—average, neither pleasant, nor unpleasant 4 = High level of visual appeal—seamless graphics—consistent and professionally designed 5 = As above, very attractive, memorable, stands out; use of color enhances app features/menus |