Tell me more ×
User Experience Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for user experience researchers and experts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

A university professor is seeking a tool that help measuring the effectiveness and usability of a certain product, mostly this product is targeting students and academical fields.

share|improve this question
Hi Jamila. Sorry, but questions requesting recommendations for books / software / apps / papers etc. would fall into the shopping request category and aren't really suitable to a Q&A website. The reason for this is that there is no one correct answer, and such recommended items would soon be updated and replaced with newer / better versions making the best answers redundant. Therefore you're better off visiting our Chat site for such discussions, they're not really suitable for this main site I'm afraid. – JonW♦ Nov 27 '12 at 21:03

closed as not constructive by JonW♦ Nov 27 '12 at 21:03

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

There are a lot of tools out there. Of the paid tools, I've personally used http://www.usertesting.com (allows you to complete remote user testing), and http://www.usabilityhub.com/ (five second tests and click tests). They both do different things and achieve different results. In both cases as well, you'll need to design the tests. (And at the same time, define some benchmarks for what is "usable" for your product versus "not usable.")

However, do not underestimate simple, free in-person user testing. You're on a university campus I take it? If so, you're surrounded by lots of people who are probably willing to help you out on a research project. Go to the on-campus coffee shop and ask some people if they're willing to test out your product in exchange for a cup of coffee, or send out an email to recruit folks into your lab.

share|improve this answer
For sure Dave! the phase of user testing was done in the early phase, seems the options you gave me would help us in the current phase. One question, are these tools help in testing the product after releasing it? Thank you :) – Jamila Hyasat Nov 27 '12 at 20:16
User testing is pretty generic in that it doesn't really matter when you test... the testing will always show you what is currently wrong with your product. Of course, it's always nicer to get the usability issues ironed out before release, but it definitely does not hurt to test after release. (It can probably only help!) – Dave Luciano Nov 27 '12 at 20:30
Indeed! I've already spread the trend of keep on testing the product at all phases, not only on a certain time. will get back to them with these suggestions and I hope they'll get the benefits. Thanks again Dave :) – Jamila Hyasat Nov 27 '12 at 20:36

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.