Test

1 Methods

1 Heuristic evaluation

1 Indtroduction

Heuristic evaluation is a quick, cheap and easy technique for finding usability problems in a user-interface or product. The technique is developed by Jacob Nielsen and his colleagues. By using a predefined set of rules or “heuristics”, a small set of evaluators examines and judge the product based upon these rules.

The heuristics are typically looking much like well-known high-level design principles, but often they must be adjusted to the particular application or product to be evaluated.

Based on Nielsen’s work, Rogers, Sharp and Preece list some questions to be addressed when doing an evaluation;

H1 Visibility of system status

Are users kept informed about what is going on?

Is appropriate feedback provided within reasonable time about a user’s action?

H2 Match between system and the real world

Is the language used at the interface simple?

Are the words, phrases and concepts used familiar to the user?

H3 User control and freedom

Are there ways of allowing users to easily escape from places they unexpectedly find them self in?

H4 Consistency and standards

Are the ways of performing similar actions consistent?

H5 Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover form errors

Are errors messages helpful?

Do they use plain language to describe the nature of the problem and suggest a way of solving it?

H6 Error prevention

Is it easy to make errors?

If this is so why?

H7 Recognition rather than recall

Are objects, actions and options always visible?

H8 Flexibility and efficient of use

Have accelerators been provided that allow more experienced users to carry out task more quickly?

H9 Aesthetic and minimalist design

Is any unnecessary or irrelevant information provided?

H10 Help and documentation

Is...