Usability Heuristics Usability Materials Dr. Dania Bilal IS 582 Spring 2007

Heuristics Method Evaluators interact with an interface several times and map interface to specific heuristics or guidelines –Example: on.html Nielsen’s ten heuristics on.html Each evaluator generates a report Reports are aggregated and final report is generated An observer may be present

Stages of Heuristic Evaluation Stage 1: Debriefing session –Experts told what to do –Written instructions provided to each expert –Heuristics provided to each expert as part of written instructions –Verbal instructions may be included

Stages of Heuristic Evaluation Stage 2: Evaluation sessions –Each expert tests system based on heuristics –Expert may also use specific tasks –Two passes are taken through interface First pass: overview and familiarity Second pass: Focus on specific features & identify usability problems

Stages of Heuristic Evaluation Stage 3: Debriefing session –Experts meet to discuss outcome and compare findings –Experts consolidate findings –Experts prioritize usability problems found & suggest solutions

Sources aluation.html (how to conduct a heuristic evaluation) aluation.html (collection of articles) Learning about usability test (Jared Spool) g.html (Severity rating) g.html

Type of Materials Tasks –Types –Nature –Administration Writing Tasks

Type of Materials Instruction sheet –How to perform certain activity –Writing instructions Procedural list –Developed for data collection –Step-by-step process

Type of Materials Checklist –Ensure that everything has been prepared or packed, as applicable. –More than one checklist can be developed Examples of usability materials

Activity Work with your group and write one fact- finding and one research-based task for performing a cognitive walkthrough of the Aleph OPAC interface. Write instructions for the experts on how to proceed with the tasks and what they should document during the walkthrough.