• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research and Application Laboratory
• What is the usability study?
• Available Devices and Software that can be used during Experiments
• HCI Lab Usage Procedure
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 The Usability Study

The evaluation of usability is conducted by getting the levels of affectivity, efficiency, and satisfaction from the user during the process of having the defined task completed by the target group for a certain interface.

Once the target group, the users, is set, they are asked to access the functions mostly used and/or rarely used but containing important information on the interface to be tested and thus the interface is put to use.

The Steps Taken in the Usability Study

After the topic for the usability study is decided upon,

•  The interface to be tested and other means (e.g. surveys) to be used are set.

•  The Target user group is determined.

•  The tasks for the target users are chosen.

After these four main components are designated the test stage is proceeded to. If there is a questionnaire among the other means of target to measure the user's attitude or knowledge before using the interface, it is given to the subject to fill in prior to the test. Then the tasks are given to the user one by one. For every task, information like success or no success, number of errors and duration are kept. During any task it is required of the user to think out loud so that where the user faced problems with the interface and what the user thinks about it is recorded. Throughout the test all the sayings and the actions of the subject is recorded by the observer. [1] At the end of the test the user is given an impression query to yield the level of satisfaction with the interface.

In addition eye trackers may be incorporated during the processes of usability, however, to obtain concrete statistical information about the tendencies of the user while using the interface and its design.