1. JN 553
Assessing Community Journalism
Usability testing

2. RECALL from your reading
According to Jakob Nielsen, usability testing
with FIVE people can uncover ____ percent
of your problems.
a.65
b.75
c. 80
d.90

3. What is usability testing
A process that employees people as testing participants who are
representative of the target audience, to evaluate the degree to
which a product meets specific usability criteria.
THE MOM TEST…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKru8BK4P58
USABILITY TEST ON CAMPUS WEBSITE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-OC1_QxIdw&feature=related

4. Why usability?
Informs the site’s design
Highlights design problems and frustration
Improves profitability

5. Types of usability studies
Exploratory test: conducted prior to product design
Assessment test: Conducted early or midway into the product
development (test “lower‐level” operations)
Verification test: Close to or after release of product – usually
tested against a “benchmark”

6. Skills needed:
Good rapport with participants (empathetic)
Excellent memory
Good listener
Flexibly, comfortable with ambiguity
Long attention span

7. Usability method: setup

8. Basics on usability method
Recruit participants: Acquaintances OK, but best not to be close
family or friends. Five is a good number.
Include mix of strong and weak competency; seek representative
sample (representing various target audiences)
Tasks: Develop questions or tasks for users to conduct – a mix of
specific tasks and open‐ended tasks can work well.
Think‐aloud method: Ask participant to talk out loud about
thoughts and feelings they are having as they search or use site.
Record sessions: At least take notes diligently.
Revisit conclusions with them.

9. Tips for usability session
Be aware of effects of your voice and body language (be neutral).
Demo the “think‐aloud” technique first so participants feel less
self‐conscious
Don’t force “think aloud” if there’s strong resistance
Pay attention to where participant falls silent (ask later)
Practice silences and patient waiting
Don’t show surprise
Don’t say too much, don’t problem solve, don’t “rescue”
Probe where needed