Thurs. Oct. 30, 10:30 - 11:30 am
Understanding our users - an overview, with a focus on ethnographic studies
Nicole Hennig
Traditional usability testing is not the only tool for learning about users. Ethnographic methods are also very useful, especially for deciding which new services to offer.
Outline
1. Definitions and what each type of test is good for.
2. Examples of various types of tests we've done at MIT.
3. Details about the 2006 Photo Diary study (an ethnographic study)
4. Further resources
5. time for questions
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Overview of methods
(download the quiz - PDF)
1. usability testing - think-aloud protocol
3. paper prototyping - examples
4. card sorting
5. ethnographic studies - with interviews
6. persona creation - examples
7. focus groups
8. surveys
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MIT Libraries examples
1. usability testing:
MIT Libraries usability test results, links to every test we've done since 1999
http://libstaff.mit.edu/usability/
Sample usability report, Vera Multi-Search test, Dec. 2007
http://libstaff.mit.edu/usability/vera-multi/
http://libstaff.mit.edu/usability/vera-multi/problems-solutions.html
2. Heuristic evaluation:
Heuristics: best practices for web interfaces of searchable databases
3. Paper prototyping:
For redesign of libraries home page in 2004.
Gallery of previous home pages
4. card sorting:
Card sorting tests for developing categories on Libraries home page:
See #5 on this page: http://libstaff.mit.edu/webgroup/project.html
5. ethnographic studies:
User needs assessment: 2006 Photo Diary Study
http://libstaff.mit.edu/webgroup/userneeds/
Slides from Nicole's talk about this study at Computers in Libraries. (PDF)
Further reading
Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
Free sample chapter.
(this is the best book to read if you only read one.... it's short! and useful!)
Contextual Design by Hugh Beyer and Karen Holtzblatt
(excellent methods and ideas for developing products and services in a user-centered way)
Home Page Usability by Jakob Nielsen
(use this for a heuristic evaluation checklist of your home page)
Understanding Your Users by Catherine Courage and Kathy Baxter
(contains good information and procedures for how to conduct in-depth interviews)
Handbook of Usability Testing by Jeffrey Rubin
(complete guidelines with practical examples)
The Field Study Handbook By Kate Gomoll, Ellen Story Church, and Eric Bond
The Use and Misuse of Focus Groups by Jakob Nielsen
(why I'm not that into focus groups)
Advantages & DIsadvantages of Surveys - from wikipedia article: Statistical Survey
(good summary)
Think you don't have time?
"Usability Testing Lite: sit next to someone using a design and watch them."
- from Quick and dirty usability testing
First Rule of Usability? Don't Listen to Users
--- watch users work ---
Addendum:
Upcoming classes
Innovation ideas wiki
How to submit a beta
