UWI Usability Lab Capabilities

UWI Usability Lab

Lab Capabilities

We cater for most types of testing requirements: from straight-forward tests to those that require additional components.

5.1 Types of Tests

The usability Laboratory is able to cater a range of tests. These tests might be used for exploring a single interface widget through to an entire system:

Exploratory tests to determine the effectiveness of the preliminary design concepts and ideas.
Assessment tests to evaluate the usability of more detailed operations and aspects.
Validation tests to evaluate how the finished product compares to some predetermined usability metric or benchmark.
Comparison tests to compare multiple alternative designs e.g. two different interface styles or against a competitors product.

A test might involve observing a single user to a group of users and might focus on a range of elements including communication, tasks, technology and tools.

A test might be task-oriented--the participants are asked to answer a range of questions or solve a problem in relation to the product. Alternatively, a test might also involve focus groups, interviews, questionnaires and surveys, walkthroughs, storytelling and so on.

5.2 Types of Products

We are able to support a range of products being investigated. These might be in the form of a paper-based mockup, a working prototype or a fully implemented system. The products include, but are not exclusive to:

Traditional to web-based or multi-media systems
Most types of software or web-based services, e.g. eCommerce, informational, educational or to entertainment websites, mCommerce or online information services.
Most types of hardware, e.g. kiosk systems, mobile computing (mobile phones, PDAs).
Industrial products, e.g. TVs, washing machines, refrigerators, ovens with displays.
Most types of procedures, e.g. assembly procedures, task instructions, software installations, and so on.

UWI Usability Lab Capabilities

Revised: 11 June 2008