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Darlene FichterData Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan Librarieshttp://library.usask.ca/~fichter/
February 20, 2002
Usability Testing on a Shoestring
Outline
What is usability? Why does it matter? Simple techniques and tests Demonstration of task based
testing?
Overview
Usability
Usability is the combination of fitness for purpose, ease of use, and ease of learning that makes a product effective.
» Dorothy Kushner
Overview
Books, Articles and Research
Don’t need to invent the wheel Read, learn, look it up! Many great sites:
– www.usability.gov
Overview
Techniques & Tests
•Admissions•Prospective Students•Enroll•Registration
Testing
Cognitive Walkthroughs Heuristic Evaluation Preference Testing Task Based Testing Field Studies
Task Based Testing
Users are given specific tasks Verbalize their thoughts Only AFTER they have failed, can
you provide direction Observe, record, and debrief
Testing
Guerilla Testing
Idea popularized by Jakob Nielsen Showed that simple “low tech”
testing of five users could yield excellent results
5 users will typically uncover 80%
of the site-level usability problems
Testing
Preparation
1. What do you want to know?2. Who? Segment the audience.3. Design your sample.4. Develop your tasks.5. Recruit testers.6. Do a beta test.
Testing
During the Test
Observers: Time each task Record (notes, video, software)
actions, expressions, comments and tester behaviors
Do NOT help the user
Testing
Typical measures
Time - how many seconds? Errors - incorrect answers?
–User can’t complete the task–User is slowed down–User is annoyed or irritated slightly
Satisfaction
Testing
Task 1
You are planning to enrolling as Graduate Student in Sociology. You want to know the:– Deadline for application– Application process– Tuition fee
Task 2
You jus bought a wireless modem for your computer and wonder if it will work anywhere on the new campus?
Participant
TaskNumber
1 2 3 4 5 Median Mean
1 60 540 240 240 280
2 840 50 60 120 90 267.5
3 600 300 240 300 380
4 180 300 240 240
5 240 80 58 175 170 170 150.6
6 420 420 420
7 180 180 180 180
Summary of Results
Testing
Debriefing
Brief survey measuring user satisfaction
Site structure - can they draw a map
User satisfaction (subjective)Other measures: What the user can recall about the site or if they can manoeuvre easily on the screen space.
Testing
When to Test
Before redesign
Paper mockups
Wire frames
Beta testing
Live site
“Peer” site
Testing
Wire frame
Why Test
You can’t believe what users say Self referential design ROI - save everyone time and
money. Avoid web team “battles” Convince your manager Do it for the users.
Testing