Usability Testing & Evaluation Techniques Flashcards

What is usability testing?

Answer: Evaluating with users

Usability testing is a method for evaluating a product or system by testing it directly with representative users. The goal is to observe how users interact with the product, identify any difficulties they encounter, and gather feedback to improve its ease of use and overall user experience. This direct evaluation is critical for creating effective and user-friendly designs.

Which metric measures ease of use in usability testing?

Answer: Task success rate

Task success rate is a key metric in usability testing that measures the percentage of users who successfully complete a given task without significant issues. A higher success rate indicates better ease of use and a more intuitive design. This metric directly reflects how effectively users can achieve their goals with the product, making it a direct measure of usability.

What is the purpose of a heuristic evaluation?

Answer: Identify usability issues

A heuristic evaluation is an expert-based method for identifying usability problems in a user interface design. Evaluators assess the interface against a set of established usability principles or 'heuristics' to pinpoint areas where users might encounter difficulties. Its primary goal is to uncover these issues early in the design process.

What does 'think aloud' protocol involve?

Answer: Verbalizing thoughts

The 'think aloud' protocol is a user research method where participants are asked to continuously speak their thoughts aloud while interacting with a system. This technique allows researchers to understand the user's mental model, decision-making process, and identify points of confusion or difficulty directly from their verbalized experience.

Why is usability testing iterative?

Answer: Repeated testing improves UX

Usability testing is inherently iterative because it involves conducting multiple rounds of testing, analyzing the results, making design improvements, and then re-testing the updated design. This cyclical process allows designers to identify and fix usability issues progressively, leading to a continuously refined and improved user experience.

What role do personas play in usability testing?

Answer: Represent typical users

Personas are fictional, generalized representations of a target user group, created based on user research and data. In usability testing, personas help designers and testers empathize with and understand the needs, goals, and behaviors of their actual users, providing a concrete reference point for evaluating whether a design effectively serves its intended audience.

What is the difference between formative and summative usability testing?

Answer: Formative guides design

Formative usability testing is conducted early and throughout the design process to gather feedback that directly informs and guides design iterations. Its purpose is to identify and diagnose usability problems as they emerge, allowing for continuous improvement. Summative testing, conversely, is typically done at the end of a design phase to assess overall usability against benchmarks.

Why is error rate an important metric in usability testing?

Answer: Frequency of user errors

Error rate is a crucial metric in usability testing because it directly quantifies how often users make mistakes while attempting to complete tasks. A high error rate indicates significant usability problems in the interface, leading to user frustration and inefficiency. Monitoring error rates helps identify areas where the design needs simplification or clearer guidance.

What is a usability issue?

Answer: Problem blocking user goals

A usability issue is any aspect of a user interface or system that hinders a user from efficiently and effectively achieving their intended goals. These problems can range from confusing navigation and unclear instructions to technical glitches or inaccessible design elements. Identifying and resolving usability issues is central to creating a positive user experience.