Group F1 - User Testing

Usability testing is known as User Testing to evaluating a product or service by testing it with representative users. Typically, during a test, participants will try to complete typical tasks while observers watch, listen and take notes.

Goal:
To collect the qualitative data from the users thus identify the problems within.

Types of User Testing:

• Moderated user testing:

The moderator guide and observe the participants throughout the process

• Unmoderated user testing

The moderator doesn't guide the participant throughout the process

Variations of User Testing:

• Hallway testing

Pick participant randomly around the area for testing

• Remote user testing

Participants are pick from out of the country or rural areas

• Expert view

Hired experts that have knowledge about the product to test

• Automated expert review

Using scripted programs to test out the product

• A/B Testing

The participant will test which version of the product is better

Advantages of User Testing:

• Cost

Effective usability testing does not require a formal usability lab for testing

• Fast Implementation

The procedure is quick and easy

• Amount of testing you can afford

An indirect second benefit of the reduced cost is that you can afford to do much more testing, testing of your existing site, your proposed solution (at multiple stages) and your final product

• Comfort factor

Users are participating in the testing in a more natural, real-world environment, where they feel more comfortable and are more likely to be themselves

Disadvantages of User Testing:

• Testing Junkies

Testing junkies are there just for the cash and take a number of tests

• Trouble with finding an accurate audience

• Security (mostly remote usability testing)

Is hard for the moderator to get an accurate data when your own participant is anonymous

• Body Language (mostly remote usability testing)

Testers quite often come from a psychology background and can learn a lot from interpreting a participant's body language. This is lost altogether with online testing

• Remoteness (mostly remote usability testing)

It's hard to hand somebody a physical handout or flyer and ask them to go online and do what they would normally do in the real world if they're halfway around the world in a different country