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Straight from the User's Mouth:Usability Testing UNC's LibGuides
Sarah Arnold & Stephanie HsiehUNC Chapel Hill Libraries
OverviewWhat is usability? What is usability testing?
What is a subject guide?
Background & Planning ProcessApplying for Institutional Review Board
Survey
Usability tasks
Best Practices
Collaboration between Librarians & LIS Students
What is usability?When a user can do what they want to do, in the way they expect to do it, without hindrance or frustration(Definition adapted from the Handbook of Usability Testing by Jeff Rubin and Dana Chisnell)
*http://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/user-experience.html
What is usability testing?Evaluating how well a product meets some usability criteriaDefined by the designers, tested by usersGoal is to get recommendations for improving usabilityProduces mostly qualitative data
What does a usability test look like?5 participants*Complete tasks using the product“Talking aloud” about their process and thoughtsCan vary a lot in size, complexity, and depending on need
*https://www.nngroup.com/articles/why-you-only-need-to-test-with-5-users/
What is a subject guide?Subject guides: “a website created to give students an overview of books and article databases related to a specific topic. Some example topics include: Middle Eastern Cinemas & Film, Resources on Endangered Species, and How to Find Book Reviews.”
Made using LibGuidesUnderutilized resource
BackgroundMoved from Library á la Carte to LibGuides v. 1 in 2011Upgraded to LibGuides v. 2 in Summer 2014Current standards* combine best practices reported by other libraries and anecdotal information from studies not focused on LibGuidesIn general, subject guides are underutilized*http://guides.lib.unc.edu/usinglibguides/subjectguides
Planning processApply to UNC’s Institutional
Review Board for exemption
Create a survey to gather baseline data and recruit study participants
Come up with representative tasks for representative users*
*https://www.nngroup.com/articles/recruiting-test-participants-for-usability-studies
Institutional Review Board approvalCampus MassMailWhen you ask someone to do something, you are not exempt according to Institutional Review Board standardsApplication process and timing
SurveyGauge user understanding or opinion when exploring new initiativesMethodologyRecruitment toolQualtrics
Example questionsHave you ever used a subject guide?
When you see the term “subject guide,” what comes to mind?
What is one thing you DO/DON’T like about the design?
Do you have any other suggestions or comments about the subject guides you have seen today?
Heat maps
Based on this page, where would you go to find more information about Buildings and Maps in Orange County?
Usability tasksRepresentative users complete representative tasks while you listen
3 rounds of testing
5 users per round*
Specific focus each round
Top vs. side navigation
2 vs. 3 columns of information
3-5 vs. 6+ items (links, books, databases, etc.) per box
Top vs. side navigation
2 vs. 3 columns
3-5 vs. 6+ items
Usability tasks - DetailsRecording and staffing the testing sessionsSet up a representative guideObservation Guide + Participant handoutsDemographic and basic knowledge questionsFollow-up questions
Task 1: Talk me through what you’re thinking
Tasks 2-4: Locate specific items
Task 5: Accessing resources
Best PracticesPlan, plan, planTake advantage of resources on your campusTest your testReminder: You aren’t your user
Collaboration between Librarians & LIS StudentsProvide an opportunity for future librarians to explore traditional testing practices with guidance of someone with experienceEven if neither of you have experience, you have a partner
Collaboration between Librarians & LIS StudentsApply classroom learning to a real-world situationLearn more about how academic libraries function
Questions?For resources on user experience and usability, visit libux.web.unc.edu/resourcesStephanie HsiehCarolina Academic Library Associate (Graduate Assistant)[email protected]
Sarah ArnoldInstructional Technology Librarian, User [email protected]
