Testing the design and its usability is a susceptible proces | Codebridge Design
Testing the design and its usability is a susceptible process. And there are many steps to moderate a usability test, but we collected a checklist of actions to ensure you don’t miss any important tasks or information.
Follow these six simple steps to make your sessions go smoothly.
Welcome the Participant
When the participant arrives at an in-person or remote session, please introduce yourself and thank them for volunteering to help with your research. Avoid the word “test” since it can make participants think they are being tested. (Remember: we’re not testing users; we’re testing the design!).
Inform the Participant About Observers and Recordings
Tell participants about observers and recordings during the recruitment stage, so they decide whether they want to participate in your study.
Ask the Participant to Sign the Consent Form
In a remote session, sending a link to an online form via the chat feature is the easiest method of handling a consent form. Participants usually sign a paper version in an in-person session, but you can have the participant complete it electronically if you prefer.
Tell your participants to ask you if they have any questions before they sign it. Do not rush participants.
Give Tasks One at a Time
Whether the session is remote or in person, you can deliver your tasks through a chat interface or on printed slips of paper. It’s a good idea to give the participant a written version of each task, especially if your tasks are scenarios that contain many details needed to complete the task. Allow the participant to keep hold of the task so they can refer to it again if they need.
Ask Follow-up Questions
After the participant has attempted each task, you may want to ask them prepared follow-up questions, such as:
1. Do you think about doing this activity on the website you just used?
2. Was there anything easy or difficult about doing this activity?
These kinds of questions give additional information about the task. It’s best to start with broad, open-ended questions (like 1) before you ask more-specific questions (like 2) about the interface.
Thank the Participant and End the Session
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