Usability Lab
This space is designed primarily for individual or pair user testing of software applications or computer devices. Single office-like setup that can be viewed through the one-way mirrored window from the Observation Lab next door enabling remote viewing of the activity in this sound-proofed room.
Contains:
- desktop computer
- eye-tracker for recording eye fixations and gaze
- software to capture computer activity (e.g., keystrokes, mouseclicks and page changes)
- 2 pan/tilt video cameras and 2 microphones to record the activity in the room
Used for:
- software application testing
- usability testing
- testing special scenarios related to office work, e.g., interruptions to the work task
How do we do it?
Recruit people who fit the profile of the typical user of the application, and have them complete typical tasks for which the software was designed; and we control as many variables as possible.
Researchers (or clients) may observe sessions via the one-way mirrored window from the Observation Lab, or remotely using web-based software.
What data do we collect?
- keystrokes, mouse clicks and page views,
- video and audio capture of the activity in the room,
- eye fixations and gaze of the participant, i.e., what participants focus on and how they 'read' what appears on the screen
What do we learn?
- gain unique insights into how users perform (as well as about their specific needs)
- assess effectiveness and efficiency of task completion
- assess user perception of use: satisfaction, experience, engagement
- identify basic problems in initial phases of software development
- assess performance at later phases of software development
Copyright © 2008 Centre for Management Informatics, Dalhousie University. All Rights Reserved.
