Usability Terms Explained: How to conduct an ethnographical usability test?

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Usability Terms Explained: How to conduct an ethnographical usability test?

Posted On : Feb-22-2011 | seen (306) times | Article Word Count : 585 |

James Hom’s Usability Methods Toolbox (usability.jameshom.com) provides a good example of how to carry out a usability test using the method of ethnography. Hom claims that ethnography as a usability method is best used in the early stages of development, when you need to know more about the issues surrounding the use of a product rather than actual metrics.

How to conduct an ethnographical usability test
James Hom’s Usability Methods Toolbox (usability.jameshom.com) provides a good example of how to carry out a usability test using the method of ethnography. Hom asserts that testers should take on the spirit of an anthropologist and think of their usability testing space as the “field” like in “field work”. They can then conduct the test in the following manner:

1. Choose your respondents: Select various users of your product and make sure that they come from “different workplaces, industries, and backgrounds”. Once you have selected your respondents, arrange to meet with them in their “native” (no pun intended) environments.

2. Interview respondents: Part of field observation is inquiry. Interview the respondents regarding the user interface design in question (how they use it, how it relates to their personal life and/or professional life, why they use it, etc.) to gain valuable user experience feedback within the honesty of their native environment. Ask them what works, what doesn’t work, and ask them how they think their environment and personality influence the way they use and perceive the interface design .

3. Identify artifacts and outcroppings: When in the user’s native environments “one way to ensure adequate data collection is to identify as many artifacts and outcroppings as possible”. What exactly are artifacts and outcroppings? Artifacts are physical objects used at the site (notebooks, forms, walls, desks, chairs, pens, computers, etc). Outcroppings are the noticeable physical traits that make the unique (size of cubicle or desk, notes that are written on forms, noise levels, etc). Understanding the artifacts and outcroppings contribute to a better overall understanding of the user’s native environments and what tools are at the user’s disposal. However, do not go crazy collecting this information. Collect and observe what you think directly affects the user’s interaction with the interface design and move on.

4. Use tools to collect data: There are various tools you can use to catalogue and collect data from interviews, artifacts, and outcroppings. Some of these include:
• Tape recorders (for interviews)
• Paper (for interviews)
• Camera (for artifacts)
• Specialized (remote) usability testing tools
Using these tools will help you gather empirical data that can be deciphered and used during the data analysis phase of your ethnographical usability test.

5. Data analysis: Once you have collected your empirical data from interviews, artifacts, and outcroppings you can make an analysis of your findings. Explore the ways in which each different demographic’s use of the interface was influenced by their unique native environment. As always, compare and contrast the users but also look for an overarching theme, something that transcends the users’ differences. This will be what helps you find a strategy for designing an interface with optimal usability.

Ethnography: When to use it as a usability technique in user interface design

Hom claims that ethnography as a usability method is “best used in the early stages of development, when you need to know more about the issues surrounding the use of a product rather than actual metrics.” In the very early stages of user interface design , using the ethnographic method will help you collect user requirements based on how users operate within their native environments, that is how they operate in the real world. Obtaining these user requirements will then allow you to incorporate your findings into preliminary designs of your user interface.

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<h1>Usability Terms Explained: How to conduct an ethnographical usability test?</h1> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Martin Metz.aspx'>Martin Metz</a> How to conduct an ethnographical usability test
James Hom’s Usability Methods Toolbox (usability.jameshom.com) provides a good example of how to carry out a usability test using the method of ethnography. Hom asserts that testers should take on the spirit of an anthropologist and think of their usability testing space as the “field” like in “field work”. They can then conduct the test in the following manner:

1. Choose your respondents: Select various users of your product and make sure that they come from “different workplaces, industries, and backgrounds”. Once you have selected your respondents, arrange to meet with them in their “native” (no pun intended) environments.

2. Interview respondents: Part of field observation is inquiry.  Interview the respondents regarding the user interface design in question (how they use it, how it relates to their personal life and/or professional life, why they use it, etc.) to gain valuable user experience feedback within the honesty of their native environment. Ask them what works, what doesn’t work, and ask them how they think their environment and personality influence the way they use and perceive the interface design .

3. Identify artifacts and outcroppings: When in the user’s native environments “one way to ensure adequate data collection is to identify as many artifacts and outcroppings as possible”. What exactly are artifacts and outcroppings?  Artifacts are physical objects used at the site (notebooks, forms, walls, desks, chairs, pens, computers, etc). Outcroppings are the noticeable physical traits that make the unique (size of cubicle or desk, notes that are written on forms, noise levels, etc).  Understanding the artifacts and outcroppings contribute to a better overall understanding of the user’s native environments and what tools are at the user’s disposal.  However, do not go crazy collecting this information. Collect and observe what you think directly affects the user’s interaction with the interface design and move on.

4. Use tools to collect data: There are various tools you can use to catalogue and collect data from interviews, artifacts, and outcroppings.  Some of these include:
• Tape recorders (for interviews)
• Paper (for interviews)
• Camera (for artifacts)
• Specialized (remote) usability testing tools
Using these tools will help you gather empirical data that can be deciphered and used during the data analysis phase of your ethnographical usability test.

5. Data analysis:  Once you have collected your empirical data from interviews, artifacts, and outcroppings you can make an analysis of your findings.  Explore the ways in which each different demographic’s use of the interface was influenced by their unique native environment. As always, compare and contrast the users but also look for an overarching theme, something that transcends the users’ differences.  This will be what helps you find a strategy for designing an interface with optimal usability.

Ethnography: When to use it as a usability technique in user interface design

Hom claims that ethnography as a usability method is “best used in the early stages of development, when you need to know more about the issues surrounding the use of a product rather than actual metrics.” In the very early stages of user interface design , using the ethnographic method will help you collect user requirements based on how users operate within their native environments, that is how they operate in the real world. Obtaining these user requirements will then allow you to incorporate your findings into preliminary designs of your user interface.
About the Author: Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Interface Design Tool, Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pidoco.com/" target="_blank" title="Wireframing, Wireframe">Wireframing</a>, Interface Prototyping, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://pidoco.com/" target="_blank" title="Wireframing, Wireframing Software">Wireframing Software</a>, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing and Digital Paper Prototyping. User centered design for improved user interface design.
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Pidoco.com – Interface Design, Interface Design Tool, Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, Wireframing, Interface Prototyping, Wireframing Software, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing and Digital Paper Prototyping. User centered design for improved user interface design.

Keywords : interface design, interface design software, interface design tool, wireframe software, wireframe tool, online wireframe tool,

Category : Computers : Software

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