Usability Engineering Assignment 2 Part 1 Group Assig 766448

Usability Engineeringassignment 2 Part 1 Group Assignment 10this

This assignment requires working in a group of 1 to 6 people to develop a usability test plan for the RMIT website. The task involves identifying at least five realistic user tasks that users might reasonably perform on the site, and then creating a comprehensive test plan to evaluate these tasks. The test plan should include details about participant recruitment, screening questions, test scripts, observation forms, consent forms, and detailed user task descriptions. Additionally, the plan must be thoroughly checked for completeness and adherence to guidelines, including clear scenario descriptions and appropriate materials. The document will serve as a foundational step for subsequent testing and reporting, focusing on realistic, non-trivial tasks that reflect typical user interactions with the website.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of effective usability testing plans is critical in understanding how users interact with digital platforms such as university websites. The RMIT website, serving a diverse user base including prospective students, current students, faculty, and staff, necessitates a structured approach that captures varied user experiences and tasks. This paper outlines the process of creating a comprehensive usability test plan as mandated by the assignment instructions, emphasizing task selection, participant screening, test preparation, and documentation.

Identifying User Tasks

The first step involves delineating at least five clear and realistic tasks that typical users may perform on the RMIT website. These tasks must reflect core functionalities and are necessary for the website’s usability assessment. For instance, prospective students might search for course information, check application deadlines, or seek contact details for admissions. Current students could be looking to access the learning management system or view exam timetables. Faculty members might need to upload course materials or access administrative dashboards. The tasks should be practical, not overly simplistic, and should be representative of common user goals, avoiding trivial actions like signing in, which rely on prior authentication steps.

User Profiles and Recruitment

A critical element involves defining user profiles that include demographic information, familiarity with digital platforms, and specific needs. Participants should be over 18 years old and recruited ethically, ensuring they encompass a range of user segments of the university. Recruitment strategies might involve outreach through university mailing lists or flyers on campus, with screening questions designed to verify participant eligibility and suitability based on usability experience and familiarity. Effective screening ensures diversity in feedback, capturing potential issues faced by different user groups.

Designing the Test Plan

The test plan must comprise detailed sections that guide the usability test. These include the facilitator script, which introduces participants to the purpose and scope of testing, emphasizes that the website, not their abilities, are under evaluation, and explains procedures such as video recording and confidentiality measures. The script must also cover instructions for participants on thinking aloud and their right to withdraw at any stage.

The observation sheet is used to capture real-time data on participant actions, hesitations, mistakes, and comments. The consent form is essential for ethical compliance, detailing test duration, procedures, data use, and participant rights. A comprehensive screener questionnaire identifies appropriate participants based on pre-selected criteria, while pre-test questions gather background data relevant to usability analysis.

User Task Descriptions and Scenarios

Each task must be formulated around clear, concise scenarios written in natural language that mirror real user intentions. For example, “Find the upcoming exam timetable for the Business Administration course” or “Locate the student payment portal.” These scenarios should be unambiguous, motivating, and feasible within a 45-minute session, with participants guided through dependencies and success criteria. Materials such as usernames or passwords are to be provided if necessary, removing login barriers to focus on core functionalities rather than authentication procedures.

Materials and Quality Checks

Preparation involves testing the entire procedure to ensure it fits within the allocated time frame. Tasks should be varied, engaging, and representative of typical user interactions. The script, observation sheet, consent form, and task sheets must be prepared carefully, adhering to ethical standards and usability principles. Templates pulled from external sources should be properly referenced, but original modifications must be made to enhance authenticity and reduce plagiarism.

Presentation and Submission

The final document must be well-structured, following the provided template for clarity and professionalism. It will be submitted via Turnitin, with careful referencing of all source materials. Emphasis is placed on originality in participant recruitment summaries, detailed facilitator scripts, screener and questionnaire formulations, and user task descriptions. The plan will serve as the blueprint for subsequent testing and analysis phases, ultimately contributing to improved website usability and user satisfaction.

References

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• Dumas, J. S., & Redish, J. C. (1999). A practical guide to usability testing. Prentice Hall.
• ISO 9241-11:2018. Ergonomics of human-system interaction — Part 11: Usability: Definitions and concepts. International Organization for Standardization.
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• Annett, J. (2003). Human factors in system design. CRC Press.