MEMO

To: USGS Development Team

From: Group C
Date: July 12, 2019
Subject: Results of Usability Testing on USGS Mobile Water Data Tutorial

This memo is based on the analysis of usability test that was conducted for the USGS Mobile
Water Data Tutorial webpage. This page was selected in order to test if there are any misleading
instructions that may create confusion for a user or make a user unable to access the USGS
resources. Tests were conducted on four subjects and included a brief introduction before asking
subjects to work though the tutorial. Upon completion of the tutorial, the subjects were asked a
series of open and closed ended questions about their experience and ways to improve the
tutorial webpage. Feedback from the test subjects was compiled and the changes that were
suggested can be found below in the ‘Recommendations’ section.

Test Objectives
Several test objectives were created to shape the overall scope of the usability test. These
objectives ensure that sufficient data is being collected from the subjects during the testing
session. As defined in the ‘procedure’ section of the usability test document, the test should:
● determine the conciseness (diction and syntax) of the USGS instructions
● examine whether the overall format of USGS Mobile Water Data Tutorial affects the
tester’s understanding of the information
● uncover grammatical errors that impede the users understanding of the information

Results
Areas of Strength
Based on the responses from the subjects, a major area of strength were the images placed
throughout the tutorial that served to help participants confirm that the steps that they took were
the correct ones. Additionally, all of the users tested made it all of the way through the
instructions without encountering an error in them that they could not work through.
Areas of Improvement
Based on responses from the subjects, many areas of improvement were identified for the tutorial
document. All of the subjects felt that there was too much text present on the webpage and made
the tutorial exhausting to read. There was also a large amount of irrelevant information present
on the tutorial that could be cut in order to streamline the new user onboarding process. Lastly,
the screen captures present appear to be of an outdated version of the page and can be confusing
to a potential user who had no experience with this older version.
Questionnaire
In order to gather useful feedback from the subjects, three open ended questions and three closed
ended questions were asked to each subject at the end of the testing section. Note that some
subject answers were edited for clarity These questions are as follows:
Closed
1. Rate your experience with our instructions on a scale of 1 - 5 in terms of usability.
2. How often would you use an instruction booklet when accessing new information. (every
time, most of the time, sometimes, never)
3. Had you interacted with the USGS website prior to this usability test?
Close Ended Question Results
Subject 1:
Q1: 3.
Q2: Never.
Q3: Yes.
Subject 2:
Q1: 3.
Q2: Sometimes.
Q3: No.
Subject 3:
Q1: 4.
Q2: Never.
Q3: No.
Subject 4:
Q1: 2.
Q2: Most of the time.
Q3: No.
Open
1. How were the images provided helpful to your understanding of the instructions?
2. Was there any information that you felt was missing from the instruction that would be
helpful to you? Explain.
3. How do you feel the design of the instructions could be improved?
Open Ended Responses
Subject 1:
Q1: The images directed the user to the correct information. The user felt
confident that the necessary information would appear, commenting the images
helped “[me] in knowing that I clicked on the right thing.”
Q2: The user found that “the compass icon was different from the instruction’s
icon”, and started second guessing the instructions.
 Q3: The format of the tutorial on the website was exhausting for the user, noting
that it “could be better if the lines were shorter, meaning that you would not have
to move the eye all the way across the page.”
Subject 2:
Q1: The user found images quite helpful, commenting that it “made it a lot easier
to find what I needed.”
Q2: Slight rewording of a few words, such “right menu icon” to “left menu icon”.
Q3: The design of the overall webpage was too spread out, and recommended to
“center the images” to alleviate the issue.
Subject 3:
Q1: “Images helped make it more clear on exactly where to go.”
Q2: “[The] instructions were straightforward.”
Q3: The user felt information concentrated in certain areas, noting that there
“could be more things to separate each section for readability.”
Subject 4:
Q1: “Some images were helpful to get started. There could have been more
visuals explaining the more important steps.”
Q2: “There was just a lot of unnecessary information.”
Q3: “The instructions could be numbered, and cut down on information and
highlight the most crucial steps.”

Recommendations
Four large steps were identified that should be taken to improve the overall effectiveness of the
USGS Mobile Water Data Tutorial. The revised edition should try to accomplish the task of
introducing the user to the webpage with little words as possible. Information that is not relevant
to the task of introducing the user to the current version of the webpage should be removed, this
includes information such as stating that the product is still in beta. The order that the user is
walked through the webpage should be altered to better fit the nature discovery process that a
user without this tutorial would have. Lastly, the outdated screen captures should be updated
with new ones in order to keep the tutorial consistent with the current version of the USGS
Mobile Water Data app.
Appendices
Original
Revised

USGS Mobile Water Data Tutorial

The new USGS Mobile Water Data site is a site designed for mobile users. It highlights USGS
current conditions water data.

There is nothing to install. Simply use any browser to go to m.waterdata.usgs.gov. While the site
was designed for smartphones, it is accessible on other devices.

Initial access
1. Navigate to the https://m.waterdata.usgs.gov/ webpage.

2. Follow the onscreen prompts and allow the webpage to use your location.

Note: The screen will zoom near the location of your device and look similar to the
screenshot below.

Special access buttons

The Compass Button in the top right allows you to quickly return to the location of your
device.

The Menu Button in the top left corner takes you to a menu with additional options.
Legend Information
Full list of all symbols used on the map screen is shown in the
mobile screen screenshot below. To access the following
webpage:

1. Starting from the main map screen, select the Map

Button in the top left corner.

2. Then select Map Explanation in the “USGS Mobile

Water Data” list.

Navigating the mapper

● Use the button to zoom in and the button to zoom
out. Zooming out too far will cause sites to disappear.

● You can navigate east, west, north or south using your

device. This is done by dragging your mouse or finger
across the map in the direction you want the map to
move.

● Use the search bar to look up a specific location. You

cannot use it to search by USGS site number of site
name. If you type a geographical name, there is a good
chance you will see USGS sites near it.

Using the menu

When you press the menu button on any screen you should see
a menu screen:

● Map returns you to the map

● Map Explanation explains the map symbology

● Site Search lets you find a site if you know its number

● Site List / Favorites shows the sites on the current

map extent, or you can use it to access your favorite
sites

● Full site takes you to the USGS Water Data for the
Nation Site

● Help takes you to this page. This page includes

information on how to report bugs and technical
information about the site.

● Accessibility takes you to the USGS accessibility site

Getting site details

1. Select the upside down raindrop that corresponds to the site you would like
information on.

2. Select Types of Data Available in the popup dialog box to navigate to a site detail
page.

Note: you have the option to save the site as a favorite by pressing the Add this site to
your favorites on the site detail page.

3. To see the most recent 7-day graph of the data for a data type, select the right arrow
button for that type.
Additional resources
The Search resource will get you a site's detail page. Site numbers are 8-15 digits. Surface
water sites are typically 8 digits and groundwater sites are typically 15 digits.

The Site List option shows you a list of sites on the current map plus any favorites you may
have stored.

Reporting problems
When reporting problems please include:
● A screen image of the error
● Cell phone make and model number
● The operating system and version used
● Browser version and number used
● Steps needed to replicate the problem
We will do our best to solve reported problems if we can replicate them. Send us email.