Guidelines for conducting usability tests
12th April 2008 - 04:23Meanwhile, the usability testing an essential part in every major Web project has become. Similar to the development of a brand or product to offer usability testing is a very good way in advance to receive appropriate feedback. This is also very important, because later it may partially be too late to do something about it or it will be very very expensive.
How do you get the essence of these usability tests?
1) Selection of subjects:
As with any market research, the results are only as good as their subjects. Check not employees of the company's own or friends and family. Go rather to a market research firm or employment agency and ask participants to your profile requirements. Make sure that the research firm does not specify the name of their company or any other information that could influence the verdict of the participants.
2) Prior to the test:
As in real life, first impressions are the most important. Each participant must feel comfortable. For usability tests often found in an extremely artificial environment, ie laboratory conditions instead. The results here differ in part from a very normal result. So try the tests in a pleasant and familiar environment is best carried out at home or as required in the workplace to the test in person.
[The statistical Gütekrieterien such as high internal validity move, given the small number of participants in the background.]
Explain how the test runs, all the necessary written agreements, the nature of the tasks and how long does it take to Feedthroughs the test. Avoid terms such as usability testing or market research, as these can confuse and influence.
If you do not even perform these tests can and want to go to a usability agency who exactly these usability tests can perform for you and get advice.
Also, remember that these are usually psychologists, who are trained in dealing with the testing (interview and systematic observation).
3) Start the test
Either the person can test for the concept / homepage or search for mentioning the name of the website and the URL. Ask her to give the tester an initial feedback about his expectations from this page and he connects with this site. Note any words or expressions of the test subject - that it not only shows that you take their feedback seriously, but are also useful tips regarding functionality or navigation.
Then look at you let the test person's website. Before the tester is familiar with the website, ask him about his first impression of the site.
These few simple tasks will be to convince the participants that the usability tests will not be hard, and, perhaps most importantly, they are not tested, but only the Web site.
4th Choice of tasks
Set tasks that are essential to the success of the new website:
- Purchase of products
- Payment options (SSL, credit cards, etc.)
- Contact
- Navigation
Remember that constructive criticism weiterhilft and better than just praise.
The website was programmed for a reason - can your audience do that and quickly and easily find what they want?
There is also a good idea that the user sets itself a task. This way you get a further indication of the expectations and requirements of the user and can possibly find new functions or priorities.
5) choice of words in the tasks
People act natural when you think of a scenario, rather than to follow instructions. So if you make a note, you should use phrases such as "Imagine this scenario: You desperately need the company by phone - you can find the phone number." This is far better than "you will find the contact details of the home page.
6) Task presentation
Do not expect too much from the participants or even, so here this one and make only one task at a given time.
Do users always test the entire process. An example: Suppose the user needs to register an email confirmation with activation, then let the test person to complete this entire process. This will give you information on all process operations associated with the site.
7) How should you behave during the usability tests
Any feedback is valuable - make sure your students know this. Explain your testers when they can not find something or that it is not their fault.
Stay as still as possible during the test and "invisible". Do not affect test results, by information, all comments that have to give you neutral. So do not shake your head or respond emotionally, even if your patience is sometimes put to the test.
When you speak, then just give the participants an assist in the opinion or to clarify an ambiguous answer. If you have doubts, you prefer to stay quiet!
Given the partial high investment in a project that will sometimes be like the customer with the usability test. If your customer absolutely wants to be present, tell your customers why it is better to zuzuschalten by Realtime Video and influencing them not there possibly the result of comments.
8) After the usability test
After all tasks are completed, you should collect as much information. Ask if the expectations were met or whether that decision has changed during the testing process.
Always ask for suggestions - this indicates to the tester that you place great value on his opinion.
Finally, ask the participants to communicate what they remember, whether positive or negative, the site structure and functions of the website.
It was again pointed out that there is testing its own (self) or the risk of falsification. Caused by among others clumsy attempt Constructions, "socially desirable" responses of the test persons and uncritical reporting.
These articles might well be:- How many subjects for Web Usability? Pro: Practical orientation - Contra: statistical significance
- How do you measure Usability = ease?
- Frontend Usability and Web Analytics
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