[Sigia-l] Usability Test Questions

[Eric Reiss]

Thomas Donehower wrote:
Ask questions that will [snip] give a clear indication as to what
content they represent. Some examples (Looking at homepage): What do
you think this site is about? What do you think it is for? 

And I write:

I've asked test subjects the same open-ended questions...but...

Isn't it fair to assume that most real-life visitors already have
some kind of expectation of the site's subject and purpose before
they arrive?

Your questions are valid, but I wonder if they shouldn't be phrased
differently. After all, what would be gained by plunking someone in
front of a house and asking "Who do you think lives here?" 

An alternative question might be, "Do you think the person you want
to visit lives here?" 

Hence, open-ended questions are fine, but the test subject must have
some predetermined goal if the questions are to have any real value.

Cheers,
Eric

e-reiss.com
copenhagen, denmark