Darlene Fichter Data Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan Libraries fichter/ February 20, 2002...

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Darlene Fichter Data Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan Libraries http://library.usask.ca/~fichter/ February 20, 2002 Usability Testing on a Shoestring
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Transcript of Darlene Fichter Data Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan Libraries fichter/ February 20, 2002...

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

Why Usability Matters

Bad design Examples? Do you ever use them again? Do you feel loyal?

Overview

Good Design

Invisible Usability has been called the

“science of the obvious”

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

Lab Setting

Special labs with one way glass Eye tracking equipment

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

Demonstration

Carleton U of A

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

Questions

Darlene FichterData Library Coordinator, University of Saskatchewan

Resourceslibrary.usask.ca/~fichter/usability/

Questions