Moderating Usability Tests

■ greeting the participant

■ explaining the participant’s rights and having him or her sign an

informed consent

■ explaining how the session will proceed

■ guiding participants through a set of carefully selected tasks using

the product, usually while thinking aloud

■ recording data in one or more ways

■ asking participants to summarize their experience

1.3 THE IMPORTANCE OF MODERATING SKILLS

Usability testing is like many things—easy to do, but hard to do well,

and improved only through practice. The moderator’s manner of

interaction with participants from fi rst recruiting them to thanking

them at the end of the session is critical to the success ...