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Questions tagged [usability-testing]

a method of analyzing an interface by the standard principles of usability. For questions regarding whether to conduct a usability study or how to best go about testing.

Usability Testing is a method of analyzing an interface by the standard principles of usability. For questions regarding whether to conduct a usability study or how to best go about testing.

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How do you get users to think aloud?

When I moderate user tests, I sometimes find it hard to get users to verbalise their thought processes - to think aloud. Users are are very good at give me a running commentary on other things - be that whether they like the graphic design, what…
Jimmy Breck-McKye
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"people don’t know what they want until you show it to them"

One of the most successful products ever produced is the iPhone. It’s loved for its excellent User Experience worldwide. It came from an idea by the late Steve Jobs who is among other things famous for not asking the customer what they want. In 1985…
Benny Skogberg
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How can I ensure users don't fear the word TEST in the invitation for usability testing?

I did a lot of usability tests and sometimes users came to me saying: Wow. When you said TEST, I thought I should study more. Do you notice the MORE? It means that they studied something! I always explain that the test is about the system, not…
Giu Vicente
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Formative and Summative Usability Testing

I bumped into this document and it suggests the use of (a) Formative and (b) Summative Usability Testing. To be honest, is the first time that I bumped into this kind of terminology, and I while reading about it, it's not quite clear to me how can I…
edgarator
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Ideal number of candidates for user-testing

I'm creating a draft proposal for some user testing involving several quite basic wireframe prototypes. How many participants would people recommend for this type of exercise? The intention would be to repeat the interview process several times as…
Damian
18
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2 answers

5-second tests vs. the short-term memory

I've recently been participating in random tests on http://usabilityhub.com and I find myself cringing when the 5-second tests come up and feeling guilty at my seemingly useless responses once I'm finished. I frequently can't remember the details…
Karen
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When does statistical significance matter?

When does the statistical significance of a usability test matter? I ask because in a recent Boagworld podcast, Steve Krug talks about how he recommends testing with only three users. When asked if that's statistically significant, he says no and…
Philip Morton
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How to test user in real situation?

What material and method could I use to record a usability test in real situation? I have to test some single user of an interface at their office desk, as they normally use it, without constraining them in any way. They can answer the phone, ask a…
Linearis
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2 answers

When Did Usability Testing Start?

I've been doing some research on the history of usability testing. What I've found out is that it has been done at least since 1981 at Xerox(based on unreliable source of Wikipedia). Can anyone remember any earlier examples? Preferably with reliable…
Illotus
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How to find out usability problems myself?

I'm a tester. Currently when I see something that I don't like I suggest amending it and specify how. However I don't often see specific problems in application's usability and when I do I don't always suggest the most appropriate improvements. It…
Andrei Botalov
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Example video of a think-aloud protocol

I'm planning to use the think-aloud protocol for an upcoming usability test. A book chapter on think-aloud suggested that you show the participant an example video of someone thinking aloud. I think this is a good idea to reassure users that they…
Evan Carroll
10
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3 answers

When to end usability test task

I was wondering: if participant thinks he has found the solution to a task, do you end the task even if the solution is the wrong one? Eg. you task the participant to find some information, but he doesn't find it, but instead finds some contact info…
Illotus
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Testing with an application that will require user training

I have been assigned a project where I need to start doing Salesforce usability testing with a customer service department. My issue is that I've never tested an application that will require user training. I generally have an application where the…
Fletchling
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What is the acceptable success score for user testing?

I'm just wondering how high of a success rate does the outcome of a user-testing have to be before you can consider it successful. I know that 100% is the target but if time and budget are limited, what's the minimum acceptable score? Given that 100…
Gabriel Reinoso
8
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6 answers

Using Balsamiq Mockups with Usabilla for remote usability tests

We are defining the usability process for our company and are looking at tools for prototyping and remote usability testing. We would like to use Balsamiq Mockups to do our inital designs but have a couple of questions: Can Balsamiq Mockups be…
Emil L
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