Library Shared Canvas Viewer Usability Test Script

BEFORE THE TEST, OPEN TWO CHROME BROWSER WINDOWS.

WINDOW 1: http://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/drs:10643868$6i
WINDOW 2: http://iiif.lib.harvard.edu/manifests/view/drs:401232367

MINIMIZE WINDOW 2 and LAUNCH MORAE RECORDER FROM THE START MENU
(SHORTCUT IS AT THE TOP OF THE START MENU).
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Hi, [PARTICIPANT NAME]. My name is [YOUR NAME], and I’m going to be walking you
through this session today. [OBSERVER’S NAME] is here to take notes during the test.

Before we begin, I have some information for you, and I’m going to read it to make sure that I
cover everything.

Let me go over what we’ll be doing today. We’re asking people to try using a library website so
we can see whether it works as intended. The session should take about 30 minutes.

The first thing I want to make clear right away is that we’re testing the site, not you. You can’t do
anything wrong here. In fact, this is probably the one place today where you don’t have to worry
about making mistakes.

As you use the site, I’m going to ask you as much as possible to try to think out loud: to say what
you’re looking at, what you’re trying to do, and what you’re thinking. This will be a big help to
us.

Also, please don’t worry that you’re going to hurt our feelings. We’re doing this to improve the
site, so we need to hear your honest reactions.

If you have any questions as we go along, just ask them. I may not be able to answer them right
away, since we’re interested in how people do when they don’t have someone sitting next to them
to help. But if you still have any questions when we’re done I’ll try to answer them then. And if
you need to take a break at any point, just let me know.

This computer has a built-in microphone. With your permission, we’re going to record what
happens on the screen and our conversation. The recording will only be used to help us figure out
how to improve the site, and it won’t be seen by anyone except the people working on this
website.

If you would, I’m going to ask you to sign a simple permission form for us. It just says that we
have your permission to record you, and that the recording will only be seen by the people
working on the project.

GIVE THEM FORM AND A PEN

START THE SCREEN RECORDER IN MORAE WHILE THEY SIGN. MORAE WILL
MINIMIZE AND YOU SHOULD SEE THE VIEWER WINDOW FOR THE BOOK OF
HOURS.

Do you have any questions so far?

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OK. Before we look at the site, I’d like to ask you just a few quick questions. (THESE ARE
WARM-UP QUESTIONS ONLY)

What are you studying at Harvard? How long have you been a student here? Do you use the
library? Now, roughly how many hours a week altogether—just a ballpark estimate— would you
say you spend using the Internet, including Web browsing and email, at work and at home?

And what’s the split between email and browsing—a rough percentage?

What kinds of sites are you looking at when you browse the Web?

Do you have any favorite Web sites?

OK, great. We’re done with the questions, and we can start looking at things. I’m going to ask
you to look at an interface we are building for people to view objects, like manuscripts and
artifacts, online. I’m going to ask you to talk about the site and perform a few basic tasks using it.
Once you’ve finished the tasks there will be a brief survey for you to complete.

BRING UP BROWSER WINDOW 1

Okay, have a look at this page and tell me what you make of it: What strikes you about it? Who
do you think its intended for? What can you do here? Just look through the site and say a few
things about what you observe. You can scroll, but don’t click anything yet.

ALLOW THEM TO LOOK AROUND AND TALK FOR 2-3 MINUTES

Thank you. Now I’m going to ask you to do some specific tasks using the site. I’m going to give
you a printed copy. Again, please remember to try and think out loud as you’re performing the
tasks. It will really help us out. Please let me know if you have any questions or want to take a
break. When you’re done with the first section, let me know and I will bring up the second site.

GIVE THEM COPY OF THE TASK SET. ALLOW THEM TO WORK THROUGH THE
TASKS.

WHEN THEY INDICATE THEY’RE DONE WITH THE FIRST SET OF TASKS:

Okay, great. We have two more tasks for you to do with a different object. This object is very
text- heavy. Please bring up the other browser window that is minimized at the bottom of the
screen. Excellent. Now go ahead and complete the final tasks.

ALLOW THEM TO WORK THROUGH THE TASKS.

Thanks so much. Let me see if my colleague has any questions ASK OBSERVER IF THEY
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. Ask questions.

STOP THE RECORDING and HAVE PARTICPANT COMPLETE SURVEY

Now I’d like you to take a few minutes and fill out this short survey.
Do you have any questions for me? GIVE THEM INCENTIVE

STOP THE SCREEN RECORDER

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THANK THE PARTICIPANT AND ESCORT THEM OUT