Usability Testing
This week Kyle did a short lecture on usability testing; how to conduct a usability test, how to record it, and the rules for usability testing.
Here are the things you should do while testing:
- Identify three tasks
- Prepare pre-test and post-test interview questions
- Explain the product and purpose of the test
- Give participants written instructions for tasks
- Ask post-test questionnaire
You should use the same questionnaire and questions for everyone so there is no bias.
It is best to test often while working on a project; test paper wireframes; test high resolution mockups; test prototype; test final product. This way, you’ll always be able to catch any flaws early on, and avoid wasting time.
Don’t Make me Think
Kyle also suggested that we read “Don’t Make me Think” by Steve Krug. I started giving this a read last night, however, I haven’t quite finished it yet.
Krug says that most definitions of usability include things like:
- Useful
- Memorable
- EffectiveEfficient
- Delightful
“To me, the important part of the definition is pretty simple. If something is usable—whether it’s a Web site, a remote control, or a revolving door—it means that A person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can figure out how to use the thing to accomplish something without it being more trouble than it’s worth.”
I would have thought the same about usability in UX. I also believe that so long as the product is easy to understand and navigate to anyone – then it is clearly usable and effective.
The thing that I would want to also consider though, is his last point about whether the experience is delightful. I think it makes it a lot easier to want to use a product, or learn how to use it, if it is a good and enjoyable experience. I guess that’s why I’m doing what I do haha.
I tend to enjoy watching others interacting with my product, and speaking to them about their experience. Because of this, I also tend to frequently ask people to tell me how they think things might work, or what each button might do etc. as I work through each project. I love feedback and taking the opinions of others into consideration. This helps our work improve, and also helps us further understand the user and how much they would enjoy their experience with our products.
I am looking forward to conducing my own user test on the prototype for my elements project.
Update 02/01/2022:
Here is the link to view my user test video.
I also took a voice recording of my pre-test questions and post-test questions.
Here are the results:
PRE-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE
Q: Will you find it okay reading full sentences in an app?
A: Yeah, I think so.
Q: Do you know much about the periodic table?
A: No, nothing, we only get taught about elephant toothpaste for chemistry.
Q: Will you be okay with me giving you a few tasks to try and do while testing the app?
A: Yeah, but if they’re not too tricky because I’ve never used a game like this before.
TASKS:
Task: Successfully find, and add, a new element to your periodic table.
Completed successfully, and with ease and good understanding.
Task: View an element in the table, and figure out how to get out of that window and back to the periodic table.
Task understood right away, “x” button was almost half clicked before I finished my sentence.
Task: Find a way to get back to space when you’re viewing the periodic table.
Task done easily, button found clearly and swiftly.
QUESTIONS ASKED DURING TEST:
Q: What do you think this button does? (Referring to small return to space icon within the yellow nav bar)
A: Takes you back so you can fly around in space again
Q: How do you think these arrow buttons work?
A: Maybe you press them to move in different ways around space.
Q: Do you feel like you are learning something from this game?
A: Yeah, because now I know that carbon dioxide helps the trees grow.
POST-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE
Q: Do you think that, you would download and play this app on your tablet if it was finished and you could use it to learn more about the elements?
A: Yes, I think it’s really cool and good fun. Plus I really love when I get chemistry sets so now I I know more about the stuff I get in them.
Q: Do you feel like you were able to use the app easily, and that you understood what you were doing while playing the game?
A: Yeah, I think I did a good job at finding all the buttons and knowing how to do it.
Q: Do you think the information on the app was hard to understand?
A: Not for me, but maybe if someone who was younger than me, they might find it a bit harder to read the big words and know what they mean. I could do it with a bit of help but I think if the words were said to me then maybe it would be easier.
Q: Do you feel like you’ve learnt something about chemistry after playing the game?
A: Yeah, ‘cus now I know that carbon dioxide helps trees grow, and now I actually know why helium balloons float ‘cus I never knew why before.
Q: Why do you think I made this app? What do you think I was trying to do with it?
A: Trying to help kids my age learn more about elements so we are ready for P7 and secondary school.