Question

Please, Use your own words .
sorry No handwriting.
COURSE: Human Computer Interaction

Usability testing is a significant aspect for effective interface development. List and briefly describe any four methods of usability testing.

N.B. The question asks about methods of usability testing not tools used in usability testing (surveys are an example of tools).

Answer 1

USABILITY TESTING:

The usability testing can be defined as the product's evaluation by testing it with users.this testing reveals how easy and usable a website is to the user.

Here the user acts as tester and and asks to complete a task while the researchers are observing.If any problem or confusion is encountered by the user,the researchers makes the user to overcome them by providing recommendations.

The four best methods of usability testing are as follows:

1. Individual In-depth interviews

2.Focus groups

3. Usability lab testing

4. Click tracking

1. Individual In-depth interviews:

The interviews are conducted by the moderator.The moderator conducts the interview in such a way that he/she would have prepared scenario and detailed set of questions regarding the subject.She/He extends the conversation by asking additional questions in order to know the user's experience or behaviour.The interview lasts long for 1 to 2 hours.

2.Focus groups:

The projection methods makes users' attitude,emotions and opinions understandable but not directly revealed by them.A focus group test is a moderated discussion on previous scenario and the participants starts to confront their opinions.A focus group discussion will have 6-8 participants in a room equipped with 2way mirror.This session is also recorded.

There are different types of groups.They are:

     a.Mini-group :It involves less participants making them to have more time to discuss and going deep into                 subject.

     b.Conflicts groups :Participants are divided into two subgroups.

     c.Creative groups :participants are aimed to search for new and innovative.

3. Usability lab testing:

Testing takes place in a room divided by 2way mirror.moderator being with participants in one part of room and observers stood in the another part observing the users' desktop and facial expressions and records them during the session.This testing is used to discover the functional issues of a product in order to test layouts and competitor's website.this session goes through deep interview and by completing the tasks they summarize the session at the end. 5-8 participants are involved in this typical lab testing.

4. Click tracking:

It is used to follow the users' activities at websites.The clicks of participants are measured to a pixel i.e.taking resolution,size of browser window and location of a click into account etc.Tis method evaluates the effectiveness of a website by calculating the users' most often clicks.

3. Usability lab testing: