BU Libraries | Usability | Round 4

Website Usability

Scripts & Questions

Round Four (November, 2006)

Usability Testing of Library's Website

Recorder Sheets

Date:

Interviewer:

1st Recorder:

2nd Recorder:

Student:

Student's email:

Student's status:

Opening Remarks

Thanks for being willing to participate in the Library's website. This session will last less no more than half an hour. [Introductions] We're librarians here at BU. Our goal is to understand what works and what doesn't work about the website. We are not testing your library skills. If you can't find something we ask about, it's not your fault, it's the fault of the website. The more you tell us as we go along, the better we'll understand what is working, what's not working, and how we might change the site.

I'll be asking you questions and my colleagues will be taking notes so we can make the most of your feedback. I'll be reading from a script to ensure consistency across all tests.
Any questions?

OK, let's get started. Remember, the more you talk out loud about what you're thinking, the more we'll learn.

Original Question for Student	Follow-up Questions
1 . When beginining a new topic most students and other researchers start by Googling some key words. Let's assume you have done that and now you have decided or your Professor has asked you to find some more scholarly sources. Using the library website, and not having a specific source in mind yet- how would you begin?	If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase or LINK you were looking for, but did not find?

Original Question for Student	Follow-up Questions
2. Using the library website, can you tell if the library has any books written by Al Gore?	If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?

3. Using the library website, can you find the electronic edition of the Journal of Asset Management ?

If the participant goes to the catalog and stops, the librarian should ask, "Is there anywhere else on the library website to look for this?"

If the student still does not find the eJournals list, the librarian should ask, "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

4. Using the library website, can you find the print edition or hard copy edition of the Journal of marriage and the family?

If the student is unsuccessful, the librarian should ask, what word or phrase were you looking for, but did not find?

5. Using the library website, how would you get a book or article we do not own?

If students did not make it to the ILL page, the librarian should ask, "what word or phrase were you looking for, but did not find?"

6. Using the library website, how would you find a journal article about stem cells?

If the students navigate to a database through research guides or similar, the librarian should praise the student and show her the FIND ARTICLES link and ask, "Is there a better way to word that?"

If the student is unable to get to a location to find an article, the librarian should ask, "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

7. In addition to Mugar Library Boston University has several branch libraries and some very specialized libraries (for example, the Science & Engineering Library or the Pardee Management Library). Using the library website - is it possible to find information about those libraries or any one of the libraries- (for example, the hours or services offered)?

Note if sucessful by using About -- Departments or All BU Libraries dropdown.

If unsucessful ask "What word or phrase or LINK were you looking for, but did not find?"

Exit Questions

8 . How would you change the library's website to make it more useful for you?

9. What do you find useful on the library's website?

10. Is there anything you would like to tell us about the library's website?

Closing Remarks

Thanks.
Business cards in case you'd like to get in touch with us.
May we email you if we have any questions?
Gift certificate to Barnes & Noble as a small thanks for your participation.

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