Surveys
and
Task Analysis
To
improve the design, copy, and overall usability of the catalogs
at JIST Publishing, I conducted a task analysis and administered
surveys to several customers and people fitting the profile
of a typical customer. The task analysis consisted of 25
timed tasks. I asked the participant to locate a specific
piece of infomation within the catalog and then observed
how they completed (or did not complete) the task. I timed
each task to compare results. After administering the task
analysis portion of the usability study, I administered
a follow-up survey to obtain general feedback from the participant.
In the summer of 2005, JIST's largest and most important
catalog was completely redesigned. Employees and customers
both expressed gratitude for the redesign and complimented
the changes. Sales also increased from previous editions,
proving the redesign was a success.
View
a sample of the redesigned catalog (PDF 1.98MB)
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Formal
Laboratory Testing
Myself
and two other researchers recruited non-sighted computer users
to test Window-Eyes© in the Usability Lab at
Illinois Institute of Technology. We selected typical computer
tasks for users to test the screen-reader software. My two
team members and myself alternated responsibilities of facilitator,
timekeeper, recorder, and videographer. The facilitator only
interacted with the participant to give task assignments and
did not instruct the user at any time.
Our
observations of the test were presented to our graduate class,
and copies of the results were given to GW Micro, creator
of Window-Eyes©.
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Plus/Minus
Evaluation
I
performed the Plus/Minus test on the graduate application
instructions at IIT, as a first step toward improving applicant
understanding, and reducing mistakes and double work on applications.
During this evaluation, the participant was handed the application
instructions and asked to read through and write a plus (+)
over sentences that he or she liked and write a minus (-)
over sentences that he or she did not like.
This
test uncovered grammatical, cultural, and stylistical suggestions
from current students that would significantly improve the
application for future applicants. Several subtle wording
changes were also made to the instructions. |
