Comparison of usability evaluation methods

Usability testing methods aim to evaluate the ease of use of a software product by its users. As existing methods are subjective and open to interpretation, scholars have been studying the efficacy of each method and their adequacy to different subjects, comparing which one May Be the most appropriate in fields like e-learning, e-commerce, or mobile applications.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation Method Type

Applicable Stages

Description

Advantages

Disadvantages

Think-aloud protocol

Testing

Design, coding, testing and release of application

Participants in testing express their thoughts on the application while executing set tasks
  • Less expensive
  • Results are close to what is experienced by users
  • The Environment is not NATURAL to the user

Remote Usability testing

Testing

Design, coding, testing and release of application

The experimenter does not directly observe the users while they use the application though activity may be recorded for subsequent viewing
  • Efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction, the three usability issues, are covered
  • Additional Software is necessary to observe the participants from a distance

Focus groups

Inquiry

Testing and release of application

A moderator guides a discussion with a group of users of the application
  • If done before prototypes are developed, can save money
  • Produces a lot of useful IDeaS from the users themselves
  • Can improve customer relations
  • The environment is not natural to the user and may provide inaccurate results.
  • The data collected tends to have low validity due to the unstructured nature of the discussion

Interviews

Inquiry

Design, coding, testing and release of application

The users are interviewed to find out about their experience and expectations
  • Good at obtaining detailed information
  • Few participants are needed
  • Can improve customer relations
  • Can not be conducted remotely
  • Does not address the usability issue of efficiency

Cognitive walkthrough

Inspection

Design, coding, testing and release of application

A team of evaluators walk through the application discussing usability issues through the use of a paper prototype or a working prototype
  • Good at refining requirements
  • does not require a fully functional prototype
  • Does not address user satisfaction or efficiency
  • The designer may not behave as the average user when using the application

Pluralistic walkthrough

Inspection

Design

A team of users, usability engineers and product developers review the usability of the paper prototype of the application
  • Usability issues are resolved faster
  • Greater number of usability problems can be found at one time
  • Does not address the usability issue of efficiency

See also

  • Usability inspection
  • Partial concurrent thinking aloud

See Also

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