|
| |
| | Usability testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
 | | Usability testing is a means for measuring how well people can use some human-made object (such as a web page, a computer interface, a document, or a device) for its intended purpose, i.e. | | | For example, when testing instructions for assembling a toy, the test subjects should be given the instructions and a box of parts. | | | During usability testing, the aim is to observe people using the product in as realistic a situation as possible, to discover errors and areas of improvement. |
|
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usability_testing
(885 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing - Main Page |
| | Usability tests not only evaluate the use of the product, they also improve the process of iterative design, as designers are provided with critical usability information that can guide the design during the process, rather than at the end of the design phase. | | | Usability testing does not always guarantee success or a usable product because usability testing is performed in artificial laboratory settings and the test participants are rarely fully representative of the end user population. | | | The tasks for each test can be a representation of the the tasks that the eventual users are going to perform. |
|
http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~saul/681/1997/jas
(1641 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing of World Wide Web Sites |
| | Usability can be defined as the degree to which a given piece of software assists the person sitting at the keyboard to accomplish a task, as opposed to becoming an additional impediment to such accomplishment. | | | A scenario-based usability test involves presenting representative end-users with scenarios, or specific tasks, designed to cover the major functionality of the software system and to simulate expected real-life usage patterns. | | | Usability testing can be performed with developers, HCI experts, or representative end users. |
|
http://stats.bls.gov/ore/htm_papers/st960150.htm
(4079 words)
|
|
| |
| | Seth Nickell - Design Fu : onusabilitytesting |
| | Usability testing can be a very useful technique for trying to get improvements implemented in a "design hostile environment". | | | In other words: most usability discussed on the internet today is in the context of web page usability, and web page usability is profoundly improved by usability testing. | | | Because of this usability testing tends to get stuck on local maxima rather than moving toward global optimization. |
|
http://www.gnome.org/~seth/blog/onusabilitytesting
(1428 words)
|
|
| |
| | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Usability: Usability Basics |
| | Testing may include collecting data on the paths users take to do tasks, the errors they make, when and where they are confused or frustrated, how fast they do a task, whether they succeed in doing the task, and how satisfied they are with the experience. | | | Usability engineering involves several methods, each applied at appropriate times, including gathering requirements, developing and testing prototypes, evaluating design alternatives, analyzing usability problems, proposing solutions, and testing a site (or other interface) with users. | | | The goal of usability testing is to ascertain what will help users accomplish their tasks and what may impede them. |
|
http://usability.gov/basics
(3230 words)
|
|
| |
| | Testing methods and tools |
| | Fundamentals of Usability Testing is a paper by Russell J. Branaghan, Ph.D. describing various steps in usability testing methodology i.e. | | | Apart from research and development of various testing methods there have been development in the field of automated tools for evaluation of interface designs against usability guidelines. | | | Various Automated Testing Tools have been developed and are used to evaluate usability from different perspectives. |
|
http://www.otal.umd.edu/guse/testing.html
(1207 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Evaluation |
| | In Usability Testing approach, representative users work on typical tasks using the system (or the prototype) and the evaluators use the results to see how the user interface supports the users to do their tasks. | | | Here, usability evaluators obtain information about users' likes, dislikes, needs, and understanding of the system by talking to them, observing them using the system in real work (not for the purpose of usability testing), or letting them answer questions verbally or in written form. | | | The way to classify usability evaluation methods into testing, inspection, and inquiry, and the description of some techniques, are borrowed and used with permission from the Usability Methods Toolbox by Mr. |
|
http://www.usabilityhome.com
(220 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing (Web Design & Usability) |
| | Usability testing can help you understand how easy it is for beginners to start using the application or Web site. | | | With proper preparation, usability testing can isolate these costly problems and point the way to solving them. | | | With that understanding, you can choose a representative set of users and create an intelligent set of test scenarios. |
|
http://www.smartisans.com/usability_testing.htm
(1304 words)
|
|
| |
| | Digital Web Magazine - Practical Usability Testing |
| | There are many benefits of usability testing, including uncovering pitfalls in a current system before a redesign and evaluating the usability of a system during and after design. | | | The first thing to know about planning a usability test is that every test is different in scope, and results will vary a lot depending on the purpose and context of the test. | | | Conduct formal tests in an environment that simulates normal use as much as possible. |
|
http://www.digital-web.com/articles/practical_usability_testing
(2082 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing with Morae - Joel on Software |
| | Our usability test was a little bit uncommon in that we had two subjects, since Fog Creek Copilot involves a helper and a helpee, and Morae only let us hear one subject at a time from one computer. | | | So far this morning we've run two usability test sessions, with great results: we've already realized that 2 out of 2 helpers were confused about how to get reconnected, since the Fog Creek Copilot helper application deletes itself when you're done with it. | | | In most usability tests, you prepare a list of instructions for the user. |
|
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/UsabilityTestingwithMorae.html
(1313 words)
|
|
| |
| | DonnaM: Usability testing for findability |
| | Usability is simply testing whether the system you put together is the best way to facilitate the solution you've put together based on the initital user research. | | | The 'standard' usability testing approach is to provide a set of scenarios to participants and ask them to work through the scenarios. | | | And I recall a usability testing workshop with Rolf Molich a few years back, where he sort of advocated (in the context of writing hint-free task scenarios) asking users to find something that didn't exist. |
|
http://www.maadmob.net/donna/blog/archives/000582.html
(2393 words)
|
|
| |
| | User Testing (Topic at Usable Web) |
| | A mathematical model of usability problems is presented to show the value of testing with about 5 users: any more and you are getting diminishing returns that are not worth the investment. | | | Even when users do the right thing in a test, you can ask why to understand if they really understand or are just guessing. | | | Do user testing to find site-level usability problems and do heuristic evaluation for page-level improvements. |
|
http://usableweb.com/topics/000878-0-0.html
(623 words)
|
|
| |
| | WDVL: Usability Testing in Practice |
| | The Usability Company subcontracts this selection to agencies, which is more expensive than keeping a database of users itself, but avoids the problem of database junkies who turn up as a housewife one month and a stockbroker the next. | | | This kind of sentiment may come out of a usability test as a useful by-product, but the primary focus is on pure performance - how easy the site is to use. | | | It's not the same as market research, which might be interested in whether a site is attractive to the user or has a memorable logo. |
|
http://wdvl.com/Authoring/Design/UsabilityTesting
(795 words)
|
|
| |
| | jameshom.com Usability Methods Toolbox Usability Methods Toolbox Bibliography |
| | Lindgaard, G., Usability Testing and System Evaluation: A Guide for Designing Useful Computer Systems, 1994, Chapman and Hall, London, U.K. Basic usability testing textbook, geared toward computer system design. | | | Describes a program walkthrough and compares it to a usability test on the same code development environment. | | | Nielsen provides a taxonomy of UI scenarios including different forms of mockups, then describes a heuristic evaluation usability test where the same videotex system was implemented as a paper mockup and as a HyperCard running prototype. |
|
http://jthom.best.vwh.net/usability/biblio.htm
(2919 words)
|
|
| |
| | I-Design: Details of a usability study |
| | This is a description of our method for conducting usability studies to understand user reactions to software and hardware products. | | | Earlier testing finds general problems and provides direction; later testing finds specific problems, but they may be harder to change. | | | In addition to product-specific categories, usability reports cover these topics:layout and visual design, conformance with platform UI guidelines, terminology, how well the product matches the user's conceptual model of the task, ways you can improve transaction rates. |
|
http://www.user.com/testing-details.htm
(567 words)
|
|
| |
| | User Interface Design |
| | The Usability Methods Toolbox is a compilation of information about almost all of the methods and techniques used in usability evaluation. | | | Usability First - does not emphasize ergonomics, but it does have a comprehensive set of links to collections of computer information, organizations, forums, journals, and projects. | | | VUG - Visualization and Usability Group - National Institute of Standards and Testing conducts research in information visualization, virtual environments, related HCI technologies, and the evaluation of these technologies in order to demonstrate the utility and feasibility of visual displays of information to industry and government. |
|
http://www.usernomics.com/hci.html
(3103 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability In Practice: Three-Day Intensive Camp: Usability Week 2006 Conference |
| | It is less suited for usability specialists, unless they plan to teach their own course and want to learn how to communicate usability methodologies. | | | After completing this three-day course, you’ll not only understand usability’s fundamental principles and methods for employing usability, but also how to develop a sound usability plan for a design project and effectively execute that plan. | | | She has more than thirteen years of experience in evaluating usability, and has established successful programs at Lotus Development, Iris Associates (an IBM subsidiary), and Interleaf. |
|
http://www.nngroup.com/events/tutorials/camp.html
(1253 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing Course |
| | You'll learn how to plan a usability test, create test objectives, profile the user, select the right test, select the environment, and prepare the test materials. | | | You'll also find out how to analyze and report on the results of your usability test using common analysis techniques and reporting formats. | | | I believe that I developed an understanding of the process of usability. |
|
http://www.online-learning.com/course_use_desc.html
(575 words)
|
|
| |
| | OCLC usability testing [OCLC - OCLC human-computer interaction] |
| | A usability question is a statement of what you are trying to determine, such as "Does the user easily find the Search button?" There is usually one question for each task. | | | In usability testing, 3-5 users will usually provide the most information for your investment (Nielsen[2]). | | | We have found that the data analysis is not the most important component of a test(s) report. |
|
http://www.oclc.org/policies/usability/testing
(1036 words)
|
|
| |
| | Moving WebWord > Practical Review System (PRS) |
| | The idea is to make the details of each usability method available so that a person not familiar with usability can compare the methods to each other, and then choose the best method based on the constraints and needs of the project. | | | The value of usability is easy to understand, but usability itself is damn hard to understand, explain and apply. | | | If you are a usability specialist, or if you are interested in usability, you can immediately apply the PRS to your own decisions, projects, and proposals. |
|
http://www.webword.com/moving/prs.html
(1476 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing (Evaluation Usability Resources) - Information & Design |
| | This depends on the complexity of the system, the number of intended users, and budgetary constraints. | | | Review Assistant is a Windows-based application that helps complete usability reviews. | | | Ideally, these should derive from scenarios or use cases developed earlier in the design process. |
|
http://infodesign.com.au/usabilityresources/evaluation/usabilitytesting.asp
(492 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing |
| | Progressive testing of Web sites and software applications is a critical component of creating a user-centered design. | | | Learn tests that uncover problems with content organization, task flow, and brand strategy | | | The instructor's wealth of a wealth of knowledge and experience in software usability engineering |
|
http://www.humanfactors.com/training/usabilitytesting.asp
(206 words)
|
|
| |
| | Usability Testing |
| | The goal of usability testing is to discover the needs and expectations of users. | | | Recent studieshave show that observing users while they manipulate the program can be very useful (Shute and Psotka, 1996). | | | Other artists use screens made in a graphics program of their choice, such as Photoshop or Illustrator. |
|
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/usabilitytestin/start.htm
(417 words)
|
|
| |
| | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Usability: Methods for Designing Usable Web Sites |
| | Some usability specialists like "usability evaluation" — even though it is a longer word than "testing" — because it is softer. | | | An even better choice might be "try out." We are asking users to come "try out" or "test drive" a draft version of the site. | | | In a typical approach, users — one at a time or two working together — use the Web site to perform tasks, while one or more people watch, listen, and take notes. |
|
http://usability.gov/methods/usability_testing.html#what_are
(797 words)
|
|
| |
| | nat friedman |
| | list of usability issues he encountered in Ubuntu because it drew attention to the things those of us in the Linux desktop community would rather forget. | | | We're also thinking about providing funding for more of these usability labs so that other people can do this testing themselves. | | | The biggest impact these groups can have is to make fundamental functions easy: basic operations like managing files and changing simple settings are difficult because of poor user interfaces, slow software, and bad error handling; hardware still doesn't just work, etc. |
|
http://www.nat.org/2005/may
(2144 words)
|
|
| |
| | Morae: Usability testing for the masses |
| | In our testing, we found that this Web page usability testing platform can help collect some valuable data concerning how easily users can - or can't - navigate your site. | | | TechSmith's recently upgraded Morae software might provide the combination of features and affordability to bring collaborative user experience testing to a much wider audience. | | | On the downside, Morae could do more to help analyze the data once it is captured. |
|
http://www.networkworld.com/reviews/2005/020705revmorae.html
(1027 words)
|
|
| |
| | Macromedia - Flash Developer Center : Testing/Usability Articles |
| | Learn how the design goals of HALO help you create engaging interactive applications. | | | See how RoboHelp creates FlashHelp systems and why it can help your web apps succeed. | | | Efficient testing guarantees that your Macromedia Flash applications work for your audience. |
|
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/testing_usability.html
(204 words)
|
|
| |
| | Welcome to Usability News - 8.1 2006 |
| | The SURL team specializes in software/website user interface design research, human-computer interaction research, and usability testing and research. | | | is a free web newsletter that is produced by the Software Usability Research Laboratory (SURL). | | | Make sure you receive our next issue of Usability News! |
|
http://psychology.wichita.edu/surl/usability_news.html
(126 words)
|
|
| |
| | ahref.com > Guides > Design > User Testing |
| | The best way to do this is to talk with your site's users. | | | If you are unwilling (for political or other reasons) to make needed changes based on testing results, there is no reason to waste your users' time or raise their expectations. | | | Think of what it's like to use someone else's computer, drive their car, or stay at their house. |
|
http://www.ahref.com/guides/design/199806/0615jef.html
(371 words)
|
|
| |
| | Free Website Usability Testing Checklists |
| | Another option is to learn to incorporate user centered design into your web site by my low cost self-study web site usability course. | | | Avoid potential errors by paying for usability testing or try the free user feedback at the Cre8asiteForums Website Hospital. | | | It is part of the Cre8asite Network, featuring Cre8asiteForums.com |
|
http://www.usabilityeffect.com/testcenter.html
(193 words)
|
|
| |
| | useit.com: Jakob Nielsen on Usability and Web Design |
| | When doing website tasks, the slowest 25% of users take 2.4 times as long as the fastest 25% of users. | | | Nielsen Norman Group offers usability reviews, training, user testing, and a conference | | | useit.com: Jakob Nielsen on Usability and Web Design |
|
http://www.useit.com
(171 words)
|
|
| |
| | About section page template |
| | A page of tips on talking with users during site visits (how to ask neutral questions) | | | The Usability Toolkit is a collection of forms, checklists and other useful documents for conducting usability tests and user interviews. | | | Another excellent usability toolkit can be found at Gerry Gaffney's Information and Design website. |
|
http://www.stcsig.org/usability/resources/toolkit/toolkit.html#surveys
(254 words)
|
|
|
