Built
on a solid foundation of current research in the field, Usability
Testing and Research provides a comprehensive, up-to-date perspective
in this increasingly important area of technical communication.
Adopting
a practical approach to the field of usability and the techniques for
usability testing, this book lays out the subject from beginning to
end. Beginning with definitions of usability, usability testing, and
the way in which usability testing fits into a user-centered design
process, it then progresses through other methods of gathering data
within a user-centered design process, as well as methods for learning
about users, tasks, and environments. Following a chapter on ways to
test during product design, the second half of the book focuses on planning,
conducting, and reporting the results of usability testing. The last
chapter is about usability testing Web sites.
Throughout,
examples and illustrations focus on online documentation, Web testing,
computer-based training, and software for home and business use. Students,
faculty, and professionals can progress through the book chapter by
chapter in order to establish a foundation for understanding the nature
of usability testing and the issues to address. Or, if they choose,
they can go directly to the second half of the book to begin usability
testing. This allows the book to be used as a main text or as a supplement
to a course that includes usability testing.