From fbbd6f56bd0d57b3e57e685eadb0b5c7215cafc4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: AnamolR <44775373+AnamolR@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:33:36 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/2] [Term Entry] Usability Testing --- .../usability-testing/usability-testing.md | 66 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 66 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md diff --git a/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md b/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..82ea3198b16 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md @@ -0,0 +1,66 @@ +--- +Title: 'Usability Testing' +Description: 'Usability testing uncovers pain points, confusion, and usability issues.' +Subjects: + - 'Web Design' +Tags: + - 'UX' + - 'User Research' + - 'Interaction Design' +CatalogContent: + - 'intro-to-ui-ux' + - 'paths/front-end-engineer-career-path' +--- + +**Usability testing** is a research method used in UX to evaluate how easily users can accomplish tasks with a product, service, or interface. It provides direct insights into how real users interact with a design and where they encounter confusion, friction, or failure. + +Unlike surveys or focus groups, usability testing is task-based, users are given specific goals to complete while designers or researchers observe and collect feedback. + +## When and Why It’s Used + +Usability testing can be conducted at various points in the design lifecycle: + +- _Early stages_ + Run with wireframes or prototypes to validate layout, flow, and interaction logic before development. + +- _Post-launch_ + Identify usability issues in a live product and gather insights for future iterations or updates. + +- _Before handoff_ + Confirm that critical flows like onboarding, checkout, or settings are intuitive and error-free. + +- _Comparative testing_ + Compare two design versions (A/B testing) to determine which performs better based on completion rates or user satisfaction. + +## Key Elements of a Usability Test + +- **Defined tasks** + Users are asked to complete tasks like “Find the return policy” or “Add an item to the cart.” These should be realistic and clear. + +- **Representative users** + Participants should reflect the actual user base in terms of goals, experience, and accessibility needs. + +- **Observation and note-taking** + Sessions are observed either in person or remotely. Researchers record behaviors, hesitation, and verbal feedback. + +- **Think-aloud protocol** + Users are often encouraged to speak their thoughts while performing tasks to reveal mental models and confusion points. + +- **Success metrics** + Outcomes like task completion rate, error count, and time on task are tracked alongside qualitative observations. + +> _Note: Usability testing focuses on the user's interaction with the interface — it is not a test of the user, but of the design._ + +## Types of Usability Testing + +- **Moderated testing** + A researcher is present (physically or virtually) to guide the session, ask follow-ups, and clarify tasks. + +- **Unmoderated testing** + Users complete tasks independently, often through a recorded browser or app session. + +- **Remote testing** + Sessions are conducted via screen share or testing platforms, allowing access to diverse participants. + +- **In-person testing** + Often conducted in a lab or controlled space for direct observation and richer context. From 994ab5889796dcce30917f85e57094371e6ecf5c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: AnamolR <44775373+AnamolR@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2025 17:35:57 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/2] fix meta description --- content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md b/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md index 82ea3198b16..fe27e96acd2 100644 --- a/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md +++ b/content/uiux/concepts/usability-testing/usability-testing.md @@ -1,6 +1,6 @@ --- Title: 'Usability Testing' -Description: 'Usability testing uncovers pain points, confusion, and usability issues.' +Description: 'Usability Testing evaluates how effectively users complete tasks using a product or interface.' Subjects: - 'Web Design' Tags: