For this project, you will informally observe a user performing a set of typical navigation tasks. A principal goal of the project is to identify potential factors that facilitate (or detract from) successful navigation.
Find an application whose principal tasks involve finding items among at least dozens of possibilities. The items may be products, procedures, or pieces of information. Navigation should be the method for finding the items.
Identify at least 4 typical navigation tasks for the application. Generally the tasks should take at most several minutes to complete.
Analyze the Web site. Try to use the factors and concepts discussed in class and in chapter 4 of Rosenfeld and Morville. Identify where you think problems are likely to occur. Try to predict which tasks will be easy. Estimate how much time will be needed to complete each task.
Write up a set of instructions for your test participant. The instructions should inform the participant the purpose of observing and that participation is voluntary (we will discuss this in class). As much as possible, task instructions should create a natural context for performing the task. They should not artificially direct the participant towards successfuly completing the task.
Time how long it takes the participant to complete each task. You may choose to use a product like Camtasia to record the interaction and then later retrieve the times. As much as possible, try to note areas where the participant experienced difficulties. After each task, discuss the task with the participant and try to identify specific strategies and difficulties.
For each task, provide the following:
For the last point, try to support your reasons with concrete observations. Educated guesses are allowed, but be careful not to present them as points of fact.
Finally, compare your observed results with your predictions. Are there discrepancies? Why?
Before class time of the due date, prepare your report as hardcopy. It should include:
Be prepared to discuss your results and analysis in class.