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User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

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Rapid prototyping is a method used in early stages <strong>of</strong> development to validate <strong>and</strong> refine<br />

the usability <strong>of</strong> a system. It can be used to quickly <strong>and</strong> cheaply evaluate user-interface<br />

designs without the need for an expensive working model. This can help remove<br />

hesitation to change the design, since it is implemented before any real programming<br />

begins. One such method <strong>of</strong> rapid prototyping is paper prototyping.<br />

3.1.5 TESTING METHODS<br />

These usability evaluation methods involve testing <strong>of</strong> subjects for the most quantitative<br />

data. Usually recorded on video, they provide task completion time <strong>and</strong> allow for<br />

observation <strong>of</strong> attitude.<br />

a. Remote usability testing<br />

Remote usability testing (also known as unmoderated or asynchronous usability testing)<br />

involves the use <strong>of</strong> a specially modified online survey, allowing the quantification <strong>of</strong> user<br />

testing studies by providing the ability to generate large sample sizes. Additionally, this<br />

style <strong>of</strong> user testing also provides an opportunity to segment feedback by demographic,<br />

attitudinal <strong>and</strong> behavioural type. The tests are carried out in the user’s own environment<br />

(rather than labs) helping further simulate real-life scenario testing. This approach also<br />

provides a vehicle to easily solicit feedback from users in remote areas.<br />

b. Thinking Aloud<br />

The Think aloud protocol is a method <strong>of</strong> gathering data that is used in both usability <strong>and</strong><br />

psychology studies. It involves getting a user to verbalize their thought processes as they<br />

perform a task or set <strong>of</strong> tasks. Often an instructor is present to prompt the user into being<br />

more vocal as they work. Similar to the Subjects-in-T<strong>and</strong>em method, it is useful in<br />

pinpointing problems <strong>and</strong> is relatively simple to set up. Additionally, it can provide<br />

insight into the user's attitude, which can not usually be discerned from a survey or<br />

questionnaire.<br />

c. Subjects-in-T<strong>and</strong>em<br />

Subjects-in-t<strong>and</strong>em is pairing <strong>of</strong> subjects in a usability test to gather important<br />

information on the ease <strong>of</strong> use <strong>of</strong> a product. Subjects tend to think out loud <strong>and</strong> through<br />

their verbalized thoughts designers learn where the problem areas <strong>of</strong> a design are.<br />

Subjects very <strong>of</strong>ten provide solutions to the problem areas to make the product easier to<br />

use.<br />

3.1.6 OTHER METHODS<br />

Cognitive walkthrough is a method <strong>of</strong> evaluating the user interaction <strong>of</strong> a working<br />

prototype or final product. It is used to evaluate the system’s ease <strong>of</strong> learning. Cognitive<br />

walkthrough is useful to underst<strong>and</strong> the user’s thought processes <strong>and</strong> decision making<br />

when interacting with a system, specially for first-time or infrequent users.<br />

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