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Process
User Centered Design Methods
User Centered Design Methods
Usability Test Planning

"...pay attention to what users do, not what they say."

- Jakob Nielsen


Usability Process

Test Participant Selection Criteria

Required Criteria - Test participants must meet the following criteria:
  1. User groups: representative users from the primary and secondary user groups
  2. Range of subject knowledge/experience:
    • know very little or nothing about subject
    • mid-level knowledge and experience about subject
  3. Interest in science topics: must self-rate their interest in science related topics at least a 3 on a scale of 1 - 5
  4. Must have own transportation to usability testing facility (test facility not accessible by public transportation)
  5. Must be comfortable using a computer with the Windows operating system

Requested Criteria - Ideally participants will meet some of the following criteria:

  1. Range of experience with/use of existing site:
    • never been to existing site
    • have been to existing site a couple times in last year
    • go to existing site at least once per month
  2. Miscellaneous background:
    • have previously participated in usability tests
    • have a moderate interest in science topics
  3. Variety of organizations:
    • government agency (prefer Federal, more local OK)
    • educational institution: all levels
    • media affiliation
  4. Range of internet experience
    • online purchases
    • online banking
    • online bill pay
    • e-mail usage
  5. Equal mix of male and female test participants

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Related Links

+ View Sample Test Participant Screener (doc)



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