Usability Test Script
Usability test scripts are important to keep the session on track. Using a test script will ensure we cover all the necessary information to ensure participants feel comfortable and understand how the session will work. It is important that participants undertake tasks close to how they would in normal life, so setting the scene is essential.
Icebreaker questions are helpful to get to know your participant but may also offer some useful insight into how users normally use your website for example.
Make sure you have fully explored the journeys and tasks you are setting so that if a user starts to struggle you can help get them back on track. However, it is helpful to see how users will problem-solve, so don’t jump in too quickly!
Having additional tasks and journeys to hand can ensure full use of the session if you have time.
Participant consent forms
Participant consent is a necessary requirement for all research participants. This will ensure participants have clear details about how their information and research data will be used. It is also important for researchers to know the participant’s preferences for recording sessions and the sharing of information, for example, anonymised quotes.
Communication with participants
Once you know your participants for a study and their availability, these example confirmation emails/letters should ensure no important details get forgotten.
Information sheets for Participants
Research participants should receive information about the project and research session ahead of the session. This ensures they know what to expect, and are able to ask questions or change their mind. Information sheets should include the purpose of the project, practical information about the activities they will participate in, and how the research data will be used, shared and stored. Participants should also have the opportunity to ask questions and know how to make a complaint.
This template has been adapted to incorporate good practices from those produced by Essex County Council. You can visit their research repository here.
Notetaking templates for observers
Information about good note-taking can be found on the Observing User Research sessions page.
These templates are a guide for useful note-taking. If observing a usability test, however, you may prefer to save time by adding notes directly onto stickies on a Miro board ready for affinity mapping. Using a different colour for each participant can help keep you organised.