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Usability Testing and Research (Part of the Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication)
Carol M. Barnum, Southern Polytechnic State University
Sam Dragga, Series Editor, Texas Tech University

ISBN-10: 0205315194
ISBN-13: 9780205315192

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2002
Format: Paper; 448 pp
Published: 10/02/2001

Suggested retail price: $77.00
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Built on a solid foundation of current research in the field, Carol Barnum's 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: starting with definitions of usability, usability testing, and the way in which usability testing fits into a user-centered design process, then progressing through other methods of gathering data, as well as methods for learning about users, tasks, and environments. Following a chapter on ways to test throughout product design, the second half of the book focuses on planning, conducting, and reporting the results of usability testing. The last chapter discusses the usability testing of web sites.

  • Based on the most current research in the field, this text reflects the most recent developments and studies on this topic available.
  • Sidebars throughout the book catch the attention of the readers and highlight key concepts in the text.
  • A chapter on web testing provides coverage of what is now the hottest area in usability testing.
  • End of chapter discussions and exercises reinforce student learning.
  • Frequent examples of planning, conducting, and reporting usability tests present current samples of student and professional projects.
  • An appendix on teamwork gives pertinent advice in an area neglected by other texts: building and coordinating cross-functional teams for usability testing.
  • An Instructor's Manual provides sample syllabi and suggestions for using the book in different types of courses, including online delivery.



Foreward by the Series Editor.


Preface.


1. What Is Usability and What is Usability Testing?

The Times Have Changed.

What Is Usability?

What Is User-Centered Design?

What Is Usability Testing?

Test Models.

Cost-Justifying Usability.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



2. Other Methods for Getting Feedback About Usability.

Feedback from Experts.

Feedback from Users.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



3. User and Task Analysis.

Conceptual Design.

User and Task Analysis.

Planning a Site Visit.

How Users Learn.

Understanding Web Users.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



4. Iterative Testing for User-Centered Design.

Summative Evaluation Versus Formative Evaluation.

Paper Prototyping.

Medium and High Fidelity Prototyping.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



5. Planning For Usability Testing.

Establishing the Team.

Defining the Issues and Audience.

Putting Planning into Practice: Hotmail Example.

Setting Goals and Measurements.

Establishing the User Profile.

Selecting the Tasks to Test.

Determining How to Categorize the Results.

Writing the Test Plan.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



6. Preparing For Usability Testing.

Creating the Screening Questionnaire.

Recruiting Participants.

Creating Scenarios.

Creating Post-Task and Post-Test Questionnires.

Defining Team Members' Roles.

Conducting the Walkthrough and the Pilot.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



7. Conducting The Usability Test.

A Typical Test Day.

Meeting the Participant.

Briefing the Participant.

Handling Help Calls.

Handling Visitors.

Organizing the Data.

Collating Data Into Findings.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



8. Analyzing and Reporting Results.

Analyzing the Findings.

Reporting the Results.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



9. Web Usability.

Problems with the Web-Does It Have to Be This Hard?

Putting the User First.

Design Principles for Web Architecture.

Usability Heuristics for the Web.

Other Tools for Web Analysis.

Lab or Field Testing of Web Usability.

Putting All the Methods Together.

Summary.

Questions/Topics for Discussion.

Exercises.

References.



Appendix: Making It Work As A Team.

Why Work In Teams.

Dimensions of Group Dynamics.

Leadership in Groups.

Managing Effective Meetings.

Dynamics of Successful Teams.

Summary.

References.

For Technical Communication - Advanced


For Usability Testing


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