13.1 Planning and designing usability studies

Usability studies are crucial for creating user-friendly products. They help designers identify issues and improve user experiences. Planning these studies involves setting clear goals, developing test plans, and preparing for testing sessions.

There are different types of usability testing, like formative and summative. The design can be between-subjects or within-subjects, each with its own benefits. Choosing the right approach is key to getting valuable insights and improving product usability.

Planning Usability Studies

Defining Research Goals and Objectives

Top images from around the web for Defining Research Goals and Objectives

• 

  User Experience Design: Usability Research Methods - Wisc-Online OER View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience diagram | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding user requirements | MACON View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience Design: Usability Research Methods - Wisc-Online OER View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience diagram | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Defining Research Goals and Objectives

• 

  User Experience Design: Usability Research Methods - Wisc-Online OER View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience diagram | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Understanding user requirements | MACON View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience Design: Usability Research Methods - Wisc-Online OER View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  User Experience diagram | Flickr - Photo Sharing! View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Clearly define research objectives that align with the product goals and user needs
  • Objectives should be specific, measurable, and actionable (identify usability issues, measure task completion rates)
• Prioritize research questions based on their importance and potential impact on the user experience
• Consider the stage of product development and the type of feedback needed (formative vs. summative testing)

Developing a Comprehensive Test Plan

• Create a detailed test plan that outlines the study's objectives, methodology, and logistics
  • Include information about participant recruitment, session duration, and data collection methods
• Define task scenarios that represent realistic user goals and cover key product functionalities
  • Scenarios should be relevant to the target audience and based on user research insights
• Select appropriate metrics to measure usability, such as task success, time on task, and user satisfaction
  • Metrics should be quantifiable and aligned with the study's objectives (task completion rate, System Usability Scale (SUS) score)

Preparing for Usability Testing Sessions

• Choose a test environment that mimics real-world usage conditions and minimizes distractions
  • Consider factors such as device compatibility, network connectivity, and ambient noise
• Conduct pilot testing to validate the study design, refine task scenarios, and identify potential issues
  • Pilot tests help ensure the smooth execution of the actual study and improve data quality
• Prepare necessary materials, such as consent forms, questionnaires, and data collection tools
  • Materials should be clear, concise, and consistent across all participants

Usability Testing Designs

Types of Usability Testing

• Usability testing evaluates a product's ease of use, efficiency, and user satisfaction
  • It involves observing users as they interact with the product and collecting feedback
• Formative usability testing is conducted during the design process to inform iterative improvements
  • It helps identify usability issues early and guides design decisions (paper prototyping, wireframe testing)
• Summative usability testing assesses the overall usability of a product near the end of the development cycle
  • It measures the product's performance against usability goals and benchmarks (pre-launch testing, comparative testing)

Between-Subjects and Within-Subjects Designs

• Between-subjects design assigns each participant to only one condition or treatment group
  • Participants are exposed to a single version of the product or interface
  • This design minimizes learning effects and is suitable for comparing distinct design alternatives (A/B testing)
• Within-subjects design exposes each participant to multiple conditions or treatment groups
  • Participants interact with different versions of the product or interface
  • This design reduces the impact of individual differences and is useful for comparing similar design variations (testing different navigation layouts)