Yes it sounds strange but a key to lung cancer survival is early presentation to health services and evidence shows this can be influenced by information from various sources. The internet is a potentially cost-effective means of disseminating information, 60% UK adults access it almost every day although there are socio-demographic differences in use. Internet use is growing in that part of the population at highest risk of lung cancer and penetration via internet based interventions is becoming increasingly possible.

“We believe that high-complexity interaction, defined by choice and flexibility, is the key problem. Choice and flexibility are normally seen as positive in that, from a technology perspective, ‘more’ adds-value; however we disagree and propose a counter intuitive investigation of the benefits of the opposing principles centred around inflexibility and constraint. The object of this PhD project is to empirically test this belief.” The World Wide Web (Web) is a vast information and communication resource which is now seen as vital for commerce, social interaction, welfare, and citizen empowerment; however, it still remains ‘off-limits’ to the older user.

We believe that a combinatorial approach to evaluation may be more effective than those applied by individual tools and engines. The object of this PhD project is to empirically test this belief. Understanding website conformance to specifications, guidelines, accessibility and usability requirements is currently a complicated - and for the most part unachievable - process. A problem amplified where human interaction is required for evaluation, or when different evaluation engines produced different results.