INTRODUCTION #4

Types of Usability Testing available.

Types of Testing: As described by McGrath (1994) there are four perspectives from which one can evaluate a product. He talks about a taxonomy of research strategies which includes four quadrants.

• The first quadrant is Field Strategies which includes field experiment/study (beta testing, real tasks in real setting).
• Quadrant two, Experimental strategies (involves controlling conditions of the study), includes laboratory experiment and experimental simulation.
• Quadrant three is Respondent strategies, (sample survey, questionnaire) and judgement study (interview).
• Quadrant four is Theoretical strategies w
• hich includes formal theory (cognitive walkthroughs, heuristic evaluation), and computer simulation.

Usability testing, lies in the Experimental Quadrant. Observational testing is a specific type of usability testing that involves the test team observing users as they go through a set of tasks designed by the test team. Depending on the strategy adopted, testers may or may not interact with the users.