01. What is Usability?
The extent to which a product can be used by specified users to achieve specified goals in a specified context with effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction.
The simplest definition would be: The shortest time taken to accomplish the task with ease.
02. What does usability measure? or What are components of usability? or What are usability factors?
a. Ease of Learning.
b. Efficiency of use.
c. Memorability.
d. Error frequency.
e. Subjective satisfaction.
03. What is a User-Centered Design(UCD)?
UCD is an approach for employing usability.
It is a structured product development methodology that involves users throughout all stages of web site development considering business objective, user needs, limitations and preferences.
04. What is UCD process?
a. Plan your site.
b. Collecting data from users.
c. Developing prototypes.
d. Writing content.
e.Conducting usability testing with users.
What is Card-Sorting?
Card sorting is a user-centered design method for increasing a system’s findability. The process involves sorting a series of cards, each labeled with a piece of content or functionality, into groups that make sense to users or participants.
Open Card Sorting: Participants are given cards showing site content with no pre-established groupings. They are asked to sort cards into groups that they feel are appropriate and then describe each group. Open card sorting is useful as input to information structures in new or existing sites and products.
Closed Card Sorting: Participants are given cards showing site content with an established initial set of primary groups. Participants are asked to place cards into these pre-established primary groups. Closed card sorting is useful when adding new content to an existing structure, or for gaining additional feedback after an open card sort.
Advantages and disadvantages of Card-Sorting methods?
Advantages – Simple, Cheap, Quick to execute, Established, Involves users, Provides a good foundation.
Disadvantages – Does not consider users’ tasks, Results may vary, Analysis can be time consuming, May capture “surface” characteristics only.
When should card sorting be used?
It should be used as an input to:
a. designing a new site
b. designing a new area of a site
c. redesigning a site
Card sorting is not an evaluation technique and will not tell you what is wrong with your current site.
Tags: HCI, IA, Information Architecture, usability