This week we looked at usability testing and the importance of user testing. We also completed our own user testing in class.
I looked at Neilson Norman Groups Usability Testing. Usability Testing is testing a product/ service to find out if it is functional and efficient for users. It is crucial to test your product to users before launching it as improves user experience and improve the efficiency of the website. It is important for us to complete user testing when creating a project as it separates us from our work, allowing a real person using it for the first time to give un biased feedback. User testing will only benefit the app and is the only way to recieve important feedback to improve the project.
The tone of voice is crucial for user testing, don’t make the user think when deciding on actions, users may not remember instructions you give them so ensuring this doesn't happen, instructions should be written down for them. Low frequency words are going to be easier for the user and will create a more efficient and smooth navigation, high frequency words cause the user to think slightly longer. Words the user is not usually familiar with will cause interruptions and a slower reaction.
Typography is also a factor to be considered, using a clear typeface will speed the process up. With typography, Type set is also an important factor- sentence typography should be roughly 56 characters, ensuring users can read the text quickly, a sentence that is longer may cause confusion when the user is reading.
The best scenario for the usability testing to take place would be within a quiet room such as office or empty space. The less distractions for the user the better, this will ensure the user is focused have more consistent and effective feedback.
The users that will be participating in this project do not have to be related or experienced in the field of the product unless the product is targeting a specific type or person. Having a broad user panel use your product will give you a better response and improve the user experience even more. Ideally, there should be three people involved in this testing, a participant, a facilitator and an observer. Usually if the user testing is being recorded an observer isn’t needed. From research by the Neilson Group, 5 participants should be enough to have enough feedback to improve the product. Having 5 participants usually will solve 80% of the issues.
Ideally each stage of the project should require testing, it is also important to ensure you are completing this research in a timely manner, carrying out one user test in the early stages of a project is better than 50 at the end of the project. This ensures you are solving the problem/s at the root and ensuring this problem doesn’t carry on throughout the project and you are only aware of this after finishing it and having to go back to the start.
To ensure the consistency throughout each of the testings, a good idea is to have a script that includes prompts and talking points in order therefore you won’t forget anything. Here you can explain the product and purpose of the test. With the script you can prepare pre test questions such as age, gender education. The script can direct you and ensure you don’t miss anything out for example, as well as pre test questions, you can ask post test questions such as did you find it easy?. This ensures that everyone is getting the same treatment and making it as fair as possible for everyone therefore results are more accurate
We did a task in class and looked at Ulster University’s Website and were given tasks to complete. In groups of three there is was Participant, Facilitator and Observer. Below is the notes taken from each task.