These test materials are used in conjunction with the product and the video taping mechanism in the usability test. These can include:
A procedural guide orients the experimenter to act in a professional manner by verbally describing the study to the participant. This describes what will happen during the test, along with establishing an experimental tone, designed to discourage a total lack of formality during the test. This process reinforces to the participant that it is the product that is under the test and not the participant. A brief description about the study along with the tasks to be completed should be provided. The role of the participant as well as the experimenter should be made clear. A statement should be made regarding the thinking aloud technique and the participant should be encouraged to practice the technique. The participant should be encouraged to ask questions and voice concerns regarding the product as well as the test process.
Consent forms ensure that the participants' rights are not going to be violated, as well as protect the company from the participants leaking any critical product information to other competing firms. These forms can also be used to obtain approval for videotaping the proceedings. These forms also protect the organization from possible future claims of non-consent by the participants.
The pre test questionnaire can assess the participant's knowledge in the product's domain and experience with related products. While the post test questionnaire and interview provide overall impressions regarding the product and allow the experimenter to gauge the degree of importance of each feature. In the post test interview, the experimenter can also ask questions about possible problems that the test user faced while interacting with the product, follow up on some of the comments from the thinking aloud protocol and the questionnaires, as well as clear up some of the discrepancies between responses on the post test questionnaire and actual test occurances.