Nielsen Norman Group

World Leaders in Research-Based User Experience

2nd Pillar of Usability Testing: Appropriate

Tasks (video 2 of 3)
Summary: To learn something useful from a usability study, you must have the test
participants perform tasks that are representative of typical user goals, while avoiding
bias caused by giving too detailed directions or hints.
4 minute video by Katie Sherwin Topics: User Testing

2nd Pillar of Usability Testing: Appropriate Tasks (video 2 of 3)

Related Article: Writing Tasks for Quantitative and Qualitative Usability About the
Studies Author
All usability studies involve asking participants to perform tasks, but the Katie Sherwin
correct way to write those tasks depends on the methodology you’re using. is a Senior User
Good quantitative tasks are concrete and focused, while good qualitative Experience
tasks are open-ended, flexible, and exploratory. Specialist with
Nielsen
Norman Group.
She specializes
in helping
organizations
utilize
principles of