REFLECTION PAPER FORM 2

Name ___Heidi Francis_________________________________ Date ______March 26 2020_____

Reflection Paper #__2__

Total Number of hours logged at Field Placement since beginning your field placement
___58__

1. Describe the event.

Conducting usability testing, I interviewed a parent of a potential incoming Dominican

student through facetime. As a participant, she falls into my target audience of the incoming
and potential students and parents. The website was originally designed for aspiring
students and their family. I asked a variety of questions and overall got very good feedback.
During the interview the mom was very knowledgeable on both the questions I asked and
the website itself. Although there was a series of events, including her choosing to use the
search bars or not complete certain tasks given, what I want to focus on is her easy
understanding of finding the four parts of the dominican experience. In all my other
assessments, this task seemed to be one of the most difficult or time consuming for most
participants. In this event,the task of finding what the dominicain experience is was found in
a very timely manner, with complete understanding of what she was looking for. She was
the first participant to both find and understand it at the fastest rate.

2. Feelings/reactions (about this incident):

It was satisfying and assuring that the participant was able to complete the majority of the
tasks in a very fast and efficient manner. She was very focused and knew what she was
looking for. I consider that maybe having the tasks be given virtually and her being in her
own space could be contributing factors. It surprised me during the assessment because I did
not expect the results that she had. In comparison to the results and successes of other
participants it was reassuring that a target group participant completed a task that was
important to the foundation of the website.

3. Application of Psychological Principles: (FOR EXAMPLE: Clinical/counseling, Research,

Organizational, Business/Marketing, Health, Coaching, Prevention/Education, Social,

Developmental)

There are several applications of psychological principles including: Research,

Business/Marketing, organizational methods, and social factors. This event uses these
different principals because of the specific situation of the participant background, the
setting, the tasks and the response from the tasks. The overall research being conducted is
for marketing and business purposes. It is important that the new Dominican website is
organized in a way that displays the needed information for potential students and their
families. The social setting and potential pressure of the tasks given may impact how easily
completed a task is or in what timely manner.

● 3a. NAME AND EXPLAIN/DEFINE THE Principle/Concept/Research/Theory

(You must use at least one scholarly APA-style citation! This means a book or an article from
Psychinfo)

In an article titled, ¨ Development of an interactive, web-delivered system to

increase provider–patient engagement in smoking cessation” (2011) usability testing is
conducted that focuses on the study of the development of a web delivered system that
enhances smoking cessation and the relationship between the provider and the patient.
Several steps were taken to measure the effectiveness of the software, the most important
was with the patients and providers themselves . In order to identify the functions that
would properly work in the software, pilot testing, real world settings, and think-aloud
testing were conducted. This needed to be done with the target audience- the patients and
providers working to cease smoking habits. The patients referred to the software testing
uncovered some successes that were hidden by creators bias. The software system was
ultimately successful after analysis and types of usability testing that was conducted with
their intended use as the primary target group. With this population a proper representation
of ultimate successes and flaws were stated. The participant in my event was one of many
participants assessed through usability testing and although I can learn different aspects that
need adjustments,or that function well from every participant, this particular event was
centered on my target audience (parents of incoming students). Her ability to easily
complete a task that was more difficult for other targeted groups showed success in the
design and intentions of the creator. Testing the intended audience of the product through
usability testing will ultimately define what is successful and flawed in the ways the creator
wants it to be. It requires organization within the research as well as consideration of social
factors.

Place complete APA Reference for citation(s) here:

References
Sadasivam, R. S., Delaughter, K., Crenshaw, K., Sobko, H. J., Williams, J. H., Coley, H. L., Ray, M.
N., Ford, D. E., Allison, J. J., & Houston, T. K. (2011). Development of an interactive, web-
delivered system to increase provider–patient engagement in smoking cessation. Journal
of Medical Internet Research, 13(4), 146–157. https://doi-
org.dominican.idm.oclc.org/10.2196/jmir.1721

● 3b. EXPLANATION OF HOW THIS CONCEPT APPLIES TO/ ASSISTS YOU TO

UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE INCIDENT.

The above article demonstrates the importance of target group usability testing and the
results that will be yielded from it. In the success of my event it was evident that the design
was successful because it was proof of a completion of a goal. This article assists me in
understanding how some factors of usability testing will be more successful in certain
assessment groups and all results should be considered in modifications and future
adjustment but it is important that the target group and information that is wanting to be
conveyed is successful. The participant being in a social setting with more comfort and less
pressure may have contributed to her timely success in different tasks given. For other
products that involve business or marketing, a social setting or interactions may affect
success in usability testing. In the study on smoking cessation (2011), the patients were
referred to the program, they were in a setting they were familiar with but had the test
software to use which gave a greater opportunity to see what worked and what needed
adjustments in the system. Non patients may use the system and find other flaws or
successes but ultimately the target group, social, and organizational factors come together to
provide successful usability testing.

4. Consultation Requests and Questions for Class Discussion:

■ Bring these items up for discussion during class check-in as it is a time to get
feedback from your peers
○ As a comparison, how is the setting of a classroom with a class time test differ
to you than a take home open book test? Do you find taking home tests in a
comfortable setting without pressure easier or does the pressure help you
with the tasks?

5. Strengths:

This event gave me a lot of motivation and showed strength in the methods of testing how
people use the new Dominican website. Seeing different types of success was inspiring for
future participant results and reassured the designs and goals the website was created with.
I communicated very well with the participant and reiterated that there was no specific way
to complete the tasks I gave her. She was very understanding and willing to participate.
6. Areas for Improvement:

In future assessments I would like to continue to reassure participants that there is no

pressure involved in the tasks given, I am simply seeing how they would use the website.
Informing them that there is no right or wrong way to complete the task is a must that I
would like to continue. I think I could also improve in finding more new or unique tasks that
address aspects of the website that people use but do not realize they use it until they need
it. Making sure a wide variety of tasks are covered is something I want to increase my focus
on.

7. New Goals for the week:

My new goals are to conduct usability testing virtually with people in a setting they are
comfortable with and continue effective communication with my participants. I would like to
spend a longer time with greater focus on each individual participant as much as getting as
many participants as I can during the time being.

8. Feedback/ Comments:

I have been enjoying my field placement, it has given me a lot of perspective on how
products can constantly be improved and what aspects you choose to focus on, matters
significantly. My supervisor is very understanding, especially with everything going on but is
grateful that I will still be doing what I can.