Research methods
Usability testing
Also calledUser testing, Usability test
Watching real people try to complete tasks with a design or product, to find where they get confused or stuck.
In a usability test, a participant is given realistic tasks and asked to think aloud while they work. The researcher watches, notes where they hesitate or fail, and avoids helping.
Small numbers go a long way. Five to eight participants typically surface the biggest problems, which is why it is better to test often with a few people than rarely with many.
Common mistake
Asking people whether they like the design. Preference is a poor predictor of whether they can actually use it; watch what they do instead.