User Engagement Scale

A validated self-report questionnaire for measuring user engagement with digital systems across dimensions including focused attention, perceived usability, aesthetic appeal, and reward. Developed by O'Brien and Toms and later shortened to the 12-item UES Short Form (UES-SF), the scale is widely used in HCI evaluations. In accessibility research, the UES is sometimes adapted — for example, using visual star-rating scales instead of numeric Likert scales — but can demonstrate poor reliability with populations who may select extremes or be confused by multiple similar items, underscoring the need for triangulation with qualitative methods.