User Test Memo on using Microsoft Excel

Introduction
/ Rationale
An excellent way to evaluate the usability of a draft of a
technical document is to conduct a user test in which you give your draft to
members of your target audience, asking them to use it in the same way that
your target readers will use the final draft.
In the workplace, user test reports are often presented in memo
form.

Assignment
Prompt
You will conduct a user test of a nearly finished draft of
your set of technical instructions. Please rely on the Usability.gov: Improving the
User Experience website as a reference for this assignment, starting with the
description of Usability Testing. Then, compose a
corresponding 3-4 page user test report memo. The audience for your memo is the
class instructor.

o
User
Test. Conducting a
user test is a form of primary research. Conduct a test of 2-3 users, ideally one each of novice,
intermediate, and expert skill levels. If
you can, arrange for a performance test where readers will actually perform the
process in your set of instructions by designing a method by which users will execute your
instructions in an observable environment.

o
User
Test Memo. Your memo should then take the form
of an empirical report. Each section should be organized to move from general
statements to specific descriptions and details; this maintains a descending
order of priority throughout. Compose an empirical report using the following sections.
○
Introduction: Remind readers
of topic and target instruction audience
○
Objectives: Identify the
objectives of your user test.
o
Method: Thoroughly, accurately, and
persuasively describe test procedure and instruments, and user selection
process. Describe your test readers and why you chose them. Describe the type
of user test you designed as well as your procedure and instrument for
gathering information from your readers. Remember that the purpose of the
method section is to persuade your readers that you have carefully and
effectively tested your set of instructions; therefore, the more thorough and
detailed your method section, the more persuasive it will be.
○
Results / Discussion: This will be the most lengthy and
detailed section of the memo/report. Specifically, and in great detail, report
test results. Include descriptions of tester difficulties and questions.
○
Conclusion: Describe test results and their
consequences and indicate the specific revisions you will make as a result of
what you learned.
o
Appendix.
Include raw test data / data collection
instruments from user tests.

Supporting Texts:
●
Usability.gov
Minimum Requirements
●
User Test – Analyze 3 users and
record results using data collection artifacts / instruments.
●
User Test Memo – 2-3 pages, discusses
tester results.
●
User Test Memo Appendix – 1 page per
user, raw test data / data collection instrument.

Learning
Objectives
You will be able to conduct effective usability testing, and
to record the results in a usable manner. You will also be able to report test
findings in professional memo format.

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