Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests, Second Edition

Chapter 13. Variations on the Basic Method

Having previously described the basic method for conducting a usability test, with one participant and one test moderator, this chapter describes some variations of that technique. It discusses some common variations, with tips about implementing them, such as testing with special populations, working with prototypes, and techniques for conducting sessions inside and outside a lab, including remote and automated testing. Ultimately, your testing methodology is limited only by your imagination and the types of questions you need to have answered in testing. We include many references to books and articles that expand on the techniques in this chapter on the web site that accompanies this book: www.wiley.com/go/usabilitytesting.

Who? Testing with Special Populations

Chapter 7 is all about recruiting participants, but following are some special considerations for people who you may want or need to include in your usability test.

People Who Have Disabilities

You probably have sought out this section of the book because your company wants to meet U.S. federal requirements for accessibility, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA 508). Or perhaps your company is particularly enlightened and understands that there is a huge potential target market in which there are people with disabilities who use technology regularly. If either of these cases rings a bell, you should be including people with disabilities in your usability tests. In our ...