Usability testing essentials [electronic book] : ready, set-- test / Carol Barnum.
Material type: TextPublication details: Burlington, MA : Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2010.Description: p. cmISBN:- 012375092X
- 9780123750921
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
Usability Testing Essentials provides readers with the tools and techniques needed to begin usability testing or to advance their knowledge in this area.
The book begins by presenting the essentials of usability testing, which include focusing on the user and not the product; knowing when to conduct small or large studies; and thinking of usability as hill climbing. It then reviews testing options and places usability testing into the context of a user-centered design (UCD). It goes on to discuss the planning, preparation, and implementation of a usability test. The remaining chapters cover the analysis and reporting of usability test findings, and the unique aspects of international usability testing.
This book will be useful to anyone else involved in the development or support of any type of product, such as software or web developers, engineers, interaction designers, information architects, technical communicators, visual or graphic designers, trainers, user-assistance specialists, and instructional technologists.
Introduction: Getting started guide -- Establishing the Essentials -- Testing here, there, everywhere -- Big U and little u usability -- Understanding users and their goals -- Planning for usability testing -- Preparing for usability testing -- Conducting a usability test -- Analyzing the findings -- Reporting the findings -- International usability testing.
With a foreword by Steve Krug, author of Don't Make Me Think. "What makes so many products so difficult for the average person to use?" Carol Barnum posits this question in her introduction to this book. Too many perfectly functioning products are being returned because they are not usable. Strong usability testing is the key. But what do we do if under a strict budget and time constraints? How do we properly prepare, test, analyze, and measure across a multitude of cultures, generations, and countries? There are many different testing methods and numerous situations in which to test; however, all are grounded in the same basics of usability testing. Usability Testing Essentials presents a practical, step-by-step approach to learning the entire process of planning and conducting a usability test. It also explains how to analyze and apply the results and what to do when confronted with budgetary and time restrictions.
Electronic reproduction. Amsterdam : Elsevier Science & Technology, 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web. System requirements: Web browser. Title from title screen (viewed on Sep. 27, 2010). Access may be restricted to users at subscribing institutions.
Table of contents provided by Syndetics
- Introduction: Getting started guide
- Chapter 1 Establishing the essentials
- Chapter 2 Testing here, there, everywhere
- Chapter 3 Big U and little u usability
- Chapter 4 Understanding users and their goals
- Chapter 5 Planning for usability testing
- Chapter 6 Preparing for usability testing
- Chapter 7 Conducting a usability test
- Chapter 8 Analyzing the findings
- Chapter 9 Reporting the findings
- Chapter 10 International usability testing