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Terms & DefinitionsMisunderstandings can be prevented right from the start!Like any other scientific domain, usability comprises some specific technical terms. Some of them are used inconsistently or misleadingly and are sometimes misunderstood. Here´s a summary and short description of frequently used terms which are used by known usability experts. The list is in alphabetical order. Card SortingCard Sorting is one of the methods which helps structuring information architectures from the users´ point of view. Although card sorting is quite simple in its principle, there are many pitfalls in applying this method and it can become very resource intensive, especially when working on larger amounts of content. There are some software tools available which support the analysis of large amounts of card sorting data.CustomerFrom a usability point of view, it is very important to keep in mind that a product´s customer need not necessarily be its user. Also, reasons for buying a product and actually using it might differ. While marketing perspectives focus on customers as "buyers", usability perspecitves focuse on users and the actual use of a product. Usability ReviewThe usability review is an expert-based evaluation method. Usability experts interact with a product or system and systematically inspect it for usability. This method is also known as "heuristic evaluation" or "cognitive walkthrough". Eye TrackingEye tracking is an observational technique which is often used in usability tests to collect detailed data on the test person´s eye movement. It is important to understand and use this technique in the context of other valid usability testing methods and techniques. Eye tracking as such - just analysing what people look at - does not provide valid insights in their motivations, behaviour etc. Industrial StandardsInternational standards and norms (e.g. ISO; Din) provide valuable input for many domains and technical areas and most types of systems and products. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness for the importance and advantages of these standards exists. Market ResearchAs opposed to usability engineering, market research focuses on analysing the market concerning sales opportunities, providing data for decisions about product developments, placements and pricing. It focuses on the customer and does not go into detail about specific user and usage aspects.Methods & TechniquesUsability engineering methods and techniques are applied to achieve the usability of a product or system and are derived from the human sciences (e.g. focus groups, interviews, questionnaires, eye tracking, observations, and dairies). Some methods are expert-based (for example the usability review), while others include the actual users of a product or system (for example the usability test). For every usability assessment, the optimal methods and techniques have to be chosen to achieve valid, effective and focused results. Mobile UsabilityUsability and user experience of mobile devices and services is very different to "traditional" systems. Users can access these devices and services anytime, anywhere and over various channels. User interfaces and services have to be consistent over all potential channels (WAP, Web, voice, etc.). As usage is highly context-driven, traditional means for developing usable products have to be advanced in order to take account of the high mobility. Objective and subjectively perceived qualityThe objective as well as the subjectively perceived quality of the interaction with a system is commonly considered as usability. It expresses the quality of a system from the viewpoint of using it for the users´ intentions and within the users´context. StakeholdersStakeholders are all people, organisations who/which have an interest in a system, whether it be financial, operational, legal, sales oriented or else. It is highly important to know and consider all of them right at the beginning of a development. Otherwise, specific requirements and pitfalls might show up late in the development or in practice, which is always problematic and resource-intensive. Usability EngineeringUsability engineering is the process which includes various phases and aims at achieving usable products. For details see usability engineering. Usability TestsUsability tests are the best known user-based activities to optimize the usability of systems. They combine structured observation of the user´s interaction with a system, interviews and targeted questioning. To achieve valid results, usability tests must be tailored individually for each product or system. User Field StudiesUser field studies are user-based evaluation methods which include actual users of the system in their natural (work-) environment. User field studies apply subjective and objective tracking technologies and techniques (logging) and interviews. UsersUsers are all people who use a system, or parts of a system. Users are the ones concerned with the main purpose of a system (e.g. word processor: writing) as well as people dealing with secondary tasks such as set-up, maintenance, and training. Users have to be explicitly regarded differently from customers and stakeholders. User ExperienceUser experience is the advancement of usability, analysing further characteristics of a system such as enjoyment, presence, and trust. For details see user experience. User InterfaceThe user interface incorporates all parts of a system that the user perceives and interacts with (e.g. screen, buttons, hardware keys, power hardness, mouse, input pen, scrollbar, doorknob, etc). For the user, the user interface equals the system. ValidityValidity is the criteria which defines whether the results of the methods & techniques applied are correct and applicable for the purpose (context) they were intended for. Drawing conclusions from invalid results is dangerous. Only thorough usage of methods and techniques guarantees valid results and useful data. Web UsabilityWeb usability focuses on aspects of the web, including general usability topics as well as issues that are specific for the WWW. |
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