HCI Lecture 11 - Paper Prototyping

What is bad to do in a usability test?

Giving artificial subgoals, giving artificial ordering, and giving the answers

What is good to do in a usability test?

Giving context, giving under-specified tasks

Why usability test?

- Fix and find problems in a design - Results drive changes, sometimes innovations

What are the advantages of paper prototypes?

- Forces you to think through potential solutions - Facilitates discussion of solutions with other designers and stakeholders - Allows testing

What is the process for a usability test?

1. Address feelings of judgment 2. Set expectations for process 3. Conduct the test 4. Ask the user to think aloud/talk aloud 5. Debrief the person

What is a usability test proposal?

A report that countains: Objective, description of system, environment and materials, participants, methodology, tasks, test measures

Why is task design important?

It can give two explanations about why a test does not find significant problems: 1. The interface does not have significant problems 2. The test itself has significant problems

What are the stages of a usability test?

Preparation, introducing the test, conducting the test, debriefing, analyzing the data, creating the report

What two types of data can you collect?

Process data (observations); or summary, statistical, or bottom-line data (measurement)

What is a low fidelity prototype?

Prototypes that have designer sketches with many details missing

What is a high fidelity prototype?

Prototypes that look like the final product

How do you analyze the results of the test?

Quantitatively with time, success/failure, confusions, errors, workarounds; observations with notes about when, where, why, or how they occur; and participant comments and feedback during session or via questionnaire Summarize data, make list of critical incidents, and sort and prioritize findings

What are some ethical considerations?

Testing is stressful, so alleviate any responsibility (they can stop testing whenever)

What is needed in low fidelity prototypes?

Stimulate the prototype and sketch - quick, cheap, and easy to change

What is fidelity in prototyping?

There are two kinds: high fidelity and low fidelity

What is needed in high fidelity prototypes?

Time and creativity, perceptions of a person reviewing or testing

What is task-based usability?

When you set up a context, then prescribe tasks