사용편의성에 영향을 미치는 제품 설계 변수의 통계적 선별 방법

A Statistical Approach to Screening Product Design Variables for Modeling Product Usability

Usability is one of the most important factors that affect customers' decision to purchase a product. Several studies have been conducted to model the relationship between the product design variables and the product usability. Since there could be hundreds of design variables to be considered in the model, a variable screening method is required. Traditional variable screening methods are based on expert opinions (Expert screening) in most Kansei engineering studies. Suggested in this study are statistical methods for screening important design variables by using the principal component regression(PCR), cluster analysis, and partial least squares(PLS) method. Product variables with high effect (PCR screening and PLS screening) or representative variables (Cluster screening) can be used to model the usability. Proposed variable screening methods are used to model the usability for 36 audio/visual products. The three analysis methods (PCR, Cluster, and PLS) show better model performance than the Expert screening in terms of $R^2$, the number of variables in the model, and PRESS. It is expected that these methods can be used for screening the product design variables efficiently.