729A99 Usability Testing

Course information

Course goals

The goals of this course are that the students should acquire advanced theoretical knowledge of user testing and practice their skills in performing user tests.

Goals for knowledge and understanding

The student shall be able to discuss user testing as a method and how different versions of techniques and measurements can be used for different purposes and contexts.

Goals for skills

The student should be able to:

• Perform user tests using relevant techniques and measurements.
• Present results from user tests so that they can be used to improve systems.

Goals for evaluation (och förhållningssätt)

The student should be able to:

• Evaluate and reflect on user testing and different techniques and measurements including which techniques and measurements are suitable in different situations.
• Be aware of gender issues and issues regarding equal treatment of people in the context of user testing.

Course content

The theoretical content of the course is dealt with during seminars where students are expected to discuss issues (and to prepare by reading assigned literature). The plan for seminar topics can be found here. During the first part of the course theoretical issues dealing with the planning and execution of a user test, including deliberate choice of techniques and data collection methods. Later in the course topics providing perspectives on user testing are discussed. The practical part of the course consists of individually planning, performing and reporting a user test. The course literature can be found here.

Individual user test project:

The user test shall be performed on an existing system or prototype that the student has access to (preferably without cost). The test should be performed using the methods and techniques of the course and aim to evaluate either general usability or other relevant property of the system. The results of the user test will be presented at a final seminar and documented in a report.

Note: As long as the pandemic situation permits, you may choose to do your tests either remote or on location, or a mix (the last is educational for the comparison). Remote testing qualifies as use of a technical tool in the requirements below.

Requirements for the project:

• The choice of system and evaluation goal must be approved by the course leaders before planning starts.
• Methods, techniques and measurements should be carefully chosen and relevant to the chosen goal (document this in the report).
• Both qualitative and quantitative data shall be collected and analysed.
• A technical tool for data collection shall be used. Choice of tool must be approved by the course leaders before testing starts.
• The project plan shall be presented and discussed at the appointed seminar (see the seminar plan).
• A pilot test using at least 2 test subjects (other course members) shall be performed and test procedure updated according to feedback.
• At least 10 test subjects who are representative users shall be used. Note that for students from the Cognitive science programme, the test subjects may not be students from that programme even if they are representative.
• The results of the test shall be presented orally.
• The project shall be documented in a written report that adresses the issues in this template (the template is available for Pages, contact Eva if you would like it).
• In order to pass the course it is also required that you participate in the pilot test of 2 other course members.

Page responsible: Eva Ragnemalm
Last updated: 2022-01-07