Difference between revisions of "Usability Testing"
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== Basic Characteristics == | == Basic Characteristics == | ||
* Usability testing is a method to evaluate the usability of a product in an objective and comprehensible way. | * Usability testing is a method to evaluate the usability of a product in an objective and comprehensible way. | ||
| − | * Users or potential future user are asked to perform realistic tasks | + | * Users or potential future user are asked to perform realistic tasks by using the product or a prototype of it. |
* Testing happens late in the development process. The product must be developped to an extent that performing a realistic task is possible | * Testing happens late in the development process. The product must be developped to an extent that performing a realistic task is possible | ||
* Fair testing is assumed. During the task performance there is no (or very limited) assistance by the researcher. One of the research questions is: "Can users perform and complete the task wihtout assistance?" | * Fair testing is assumed. During the task performance there is no (or very limited) assistance by the researcher. One of the research questions is: "Can users perform and complete the task wihtout assistance?" | ||
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== Procedure to prepare and implement the testing == | == Procedure to prepare and implement the testing == | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 6 November 2024
Contents
Basic Characteristics
- Usability testing is a method to evaluate the usability of a product in an objective and comprehensible way.
- Users or potential future user are asked to perform realistic tasks by using the product or a prototype of it.
- Testing happens late in the development process. The product must be developped to an extent that performing a realistic task is possible
- Fair testing is assumed. During the task performance there is no (or very limited) assistance by the researcher. One of the research questions is: "Can users perform and complete the task wihtout assistance?"
Procedure to prepare and implement the testing
Preparation
- Define test objectives
- Scope: Which part of the product is subject to evaluation?
- Criterion: What are the evaluation criteria you want to check for?
- Define suitable task(s)
- based on realistic scenarios, formulated in the language of the users
- write instructions to explain the task to test persons
- Test criteria - e.g.
- performance: e.g. speed, number of errors, task completion
- workload, mental/physical/temporal load
- attention, situational awareness, mental information processing
Define target users and recruit participants
- define target users
- potential or real users
- based on personas
- subject matter experts
- define sample size/number of participants
- small samples (3-4 part.) allow first hypotheses and problem detection
- larger samples allow high sensitivity and thorough detection of usability problems
Plan and prepare location and infrastructure
- Where does it happen? Lab, Field, Online
- Install the prototype/software/product/service
- Prepare data collection methods and infrastructure
- e.g. sensors, footage, thinking aloud recording, eye-gaze-recording, surveys, etc.
- Prepare instructions to explain tasks and testing procedure to test persons.
Implementation of the testing
- Scheduling: Recruit and invite test persons.
- Briefing: Give instruction to the test persons.
- Start the test and the data recording.
- Wrap-Up:
- Debriefing
- Backup the data
