Lecture 12: Evaluations - Usability evaluation methods
The purpose of this lecture is to describe how to conduct usability evaluations of computer systems and user interfaces. This section focuses on why you should do evaluations, when to do them and how. It is important that you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different methods so that you can select the best method for your purposes. It is also important that you understand how to use the results from the evaluations.
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Bengt Sandblad |
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Each section provides a brief summary. For more details see the pdf file included as a link at the end of each section.
Evaluations
Summary
The above document provides a brief overview of usability evaluation methods. In order to complete the picture you should read the literature and visit the links listed below.
Required reading
- Benyon: Chap. 12, 21 (Dix: 5, 9 (chap. 5 as reference text, chap 9 is central!))
You do not have to learn all the methods described in the Preece textbook by heart. Focus on why and when evaluations are conducted (chapter 29) and some of the methods (chapters 30.4, 31, 33).
Optional reading
- The ADA approach
. Integrating work environment considerations into usability evaluation methods - the ADA approach by Åborg, Sandblad, Gulliksen and Lif. - Användarcentrerad systemdesign by Gulliksen & Göransson (see course library) chap 9 (pp 257-260) (In Swedish).
Links
A comprehensive collection of usability evaluation methods:
- Usability Evaluation
- Jakob Nielsens articles about heuristic evaluation. How do you do? How to conduct a heuristic evaluation
- How many users do you need to do a proper evaluation? According to Nielsen you only need five - Why You Only Need to Test With 5 Users