Ux Design

Moderated tests

equire the direct presence of a researcher and/or observer to facilitate the test via a script. This typically creates more controlled tests with more specific results because a moderator is able to ask follow-up questions and can observe body language in addition to verbal responses.

Direct Tasks

give specific instructions to complete a desired action without any additional context. For example: Add a vocabulary word to your list Edit the definition of one of the vocabulary words

Utility

whether it provides the features you need.

Useful

usability + utility

Information Architecture

the design and structure of an information system

Jakob Nielsen Errors Scale

0 = I don't agree that this is a usability problem at all 1 = Cosmetic problem only: need not be fixed unless extra time is available on project 2 = Minor usability problem: fixing this should be given low priority 3 = Major usability problem: important to fix and should be given high priority 4 = Usability catastrophe: imperative to fix before product can be released

prototype

A full-scale working model used to test a design concept by making actual observations and necessary adjustments.

Usability Testing

A method by which users of a Web site or other product are asked to perform certain tasks in an effort to measure the product's ease-of-use and the user's perception of the experience.

Learnability

One of the 5 quality components for Usability. How easy is it for users to accomplish basic tasks the first time they encounter the design?

Errors

One of the 5 quality components for Usability. How many errors do users make, how severe are these errors, and how easily can they recover from the errors?

Satisfaction

One of the 5 quality components for Usability. How pleasant is it to use the design?

Efficiency

One of the 5 quality components for Usability. Once users have learned the design, how quickly can they perform tasks?

Memorability

One of the 5 quality components for Usability. When users return to the design after a period of not using it, how easily can they reestablish proficiency?

Critical Errors

Test Metric. Critical errors are deviations at completion from the targets of the scenario. For example, reporting the wrong data value due to the participant's workflow. Essentially the participant will not be able to finish the task. Participant may or may not be aware that the task goal is incorrect or incomplete.

Successful Task Completion:

Test Metric. Each scenario requires the participant to obtain specific data that would be used in a typical task. The scenario is successfully completed when the participant indicates they have found the answer or completed the task goal. In some cases, you may want give participants multiple-choice questions. Remember to include the questions and answers in the test plan and provide them to note-takers and observers.

Error-Free Rate

Test Metric. Error-free rate is the percentage of test participants who complete the task without any errors (critical or non-critical errors).

Non-Critical Errors

Test Metric. Non-critical errors are errors that are recovered by the participant and do not result in the participant's ability to successfully complete the task. These errors result in the task being completed less efficiently. For example, exploratory behaviors such as opening the wrong navigation menu item or using a control incorrectly are non-critical errors.

Likes, Dislikes and Recommendations

Test Metric. Participants provide what they liked most about the site, what they liked least about the site, and recommendations for improving the site.

Time On Task

Test Metric. The amount of time it takes the participant to complete the task.

Subjective Measures

Test Metric. These evaluations are self-reported participant ratings for satisfaction, ease of use, ease of finding information, etc where participants rate the measure on a 5 to 7-point Likert scale.

Usability

The degree to which a system is easy to learn and efficient and satisfying to use. How easy & pleasant these features are to use.

Scenario Tasks

add real-world context to task instructions. Scenario tasks are more common, as they provide a realistic element to usability testing. For example: You have just finished an online lesson and have a long list of new vocabulary words. Pick a new word from the lesson and add it to your list. You keep forgetting the same word and would like to edit its definition to make it more memorable. Find the word and add a new, more personal definition.

Competitive Analysis

an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and potential competitors.

Wireframe

an image or set of images which displays the functional elements of a website or page, typically used for planning a site's structure and functionality.

Jakob Nielsen's Five Components of Usability

covers learnability, efficiency, memorability, satisfaction, and errors

Unmoderated tests

don't require the physical presence of a moderator and are, instead, conducted asynchronously online using a variety of specialized tools such as UserTesting, Userzoom, or UsabilityHub. The asynchronous nature of online tests means that researchers have more flexibility in recruiting participants and running tests, allowing for a higher volume of responses.

card sorting

simple technique in user experience design where a group of subject experts or "users", however inexperienced with design, are guided to generate a category tree or folksonomy. It is a useful approach for designing information architecture, workflows, menu structure, or web site navigation paths.