Posts Tagged ‘usability analysis’

Loop11 Updates: Track participants, Re-categorise multiple URLs, Pop-up invitation control, Improved reporting and more

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

It’s been a while since we posted an update about Loop11, but we’ve just launched some new features, and we wanted to let you know about them.

Apart from the many minor (oh, alright…and a couple of major) bug fixes we made recently, we’ve also improved the performance of our servers so page load speeds should be faster.

The other key changes include:

Track participants using unique IDs

If you want to track participants so you know who to provide incentives to you can customise the end of the URL with a unique ID for each participant. You can find this new feature in Step 3 – User Test Options and full details of the process here.

Re-Categorise multiple URLs at a time

Instead of re-categorising one URL at a time you can now re-categorise multiple URLs at the same time. You can find this new feature in the reporting of any task.

Pop-up invitation controls

If you are recruiting your participants by intercepting them via your website, you now have a feature allowing you to control the percentage of visitors that you ‘invite’. You can find this new feature in Step 4 – Invite Participants: Create a pop-up invitation for your own website.

Individual participant path analysis in exports

The full path analysis of individual participants was never made available in the exported reports. Don’t ask why. But it is there now.

Individual responses for Rating Scale Matrix questions

The results for rating scale matrix questions, while always available at an aggregated level were never available so you could see the individual participant responses. These can now be found in your reporting under Participants.

Most of these changes have come about from customer feedback. Just give us your opinion and we will happily take it on board!

Happy Testing!

PS: The guys at UserFirst have elaborated on these features on their blog. The post is located here: http://www.userfirst.com/our-blog/2010/06/28/unmoderated-usability-study/

72 Questions and Answers for Measuring Usability

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Jeff Sauro from  Measuring Usability recently wrote an in-depth report about quantitative usability testing. We think it’s a great guide for people wanting to conduct their own usability studies (however  the report does cost USD $72 to purchase). In the report, Jeff clearly identifies the benefits of quantitative usability testing as well as explaining the best way to conduct a quantitative usability study.

What are the advantages of a Quantitative Usability Test?

Jeff explains that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Quantifying usability means making better decisions about usability data. By quantifying the reduction in problems and the increases in efficiency, decision makers will make better decisions regarding their website.

What are common usability metrics?

Although there is an international standard for measuring usability (ISO 9241), the standard leaves open the question of how to measure effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction. The following metrics are the most common ways of measuring usability.

-          Usability Problems

-          Time on Task

-          Completion And Failure Rates

-          Errors

-          Satisfaction Ratings

-          Clicks / Pageviews / Navigation Path

What are the basic steps for conducting a quantitative usability test?

  1. Recruit participants
  2. Set-up and create a test
  3. Launch the test
  4. Analyse results

To purchase the report “72 questions and answers for measuring usability” go here: http://www.measuringusability.com/products/quantitativeReport

So what are you waiting for? Now you know why and how to conduct a quantitative usability study and with Loop11 your first project is free! Or for more information visit our F.A.Q.

Happy Testing!