Moore Mary, Bias Randolph G, Prentice Katherine, Fletcher Robin, Vaughn Terry
Louis Calder Memorial Library, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016950, (R-950), Miami, FL 33101, USA.
J Med Libr Assoc. 2009 Apr;97(2):114-21. doi: 10.3163/1536-5050.97.2.008.
Skilled website developers value usability testing to assure user needs are met. When the target audience differs substantially from the developers, it becomes essential to tailor both design and evaluation methods. In this study, researchers carried out a multifaceted usability evaluation of a website (Healthy Texas) designed for Hispanic audiences with lower computer literacy and lower health literacy.
METHODS INCLUDED: (1) heuristic evaluation by a usability engineer, (2) remote end-user testing using WebEx software; and (3) face-to-face testing in a community center where use of the website was likely.
Researchers found standard usability testing methods needed to be modified to provide interpreters, increased flexibility for time on task, presence of a trusted intermediary such as a librarian, and accommodation for family members who accompanied participants. Participants offered recommendations for website redesign, including simplified language, engaging and relevant graphics, culturally relevant examples, and clear navigation.
User-centered design is especially important when website developers are not representative of the target audience. Failure to conduct appropriate usability testing with a representative audience can substantially reduce use and value of the website. This thorough course of usability testing identified improvements that benefit all users but become crucial when trying to reach an underserved audience.
技术娴熟的网站开发者重视可用性测试，以确保满足用户需求。当目标受众与开发者有很大差异时，调整设计和评估方法就变得至关重要。在本研究中，研究人员对一个为计算机素养和健康素养较低的西班牙裔受众设计的网站（健康德州）进行了多方面的可用性评估。
方法包括：（1）由一名可用性工程师进行启发式评估；（2）使用WebEx软件进行远程终端用户测试；以及（3）在一个可能使用该网站的社区中心进行面对面测试。
研究人员发现，需要对标准可用性测试方法进行修改，以提供口译员、增加任务时间的灵活性、有像图书管理员这样值得信赖的中介在场，以及为陪同参与者的家庭成员提供便利。参与者对网站重新设计提出了建议，包括简化语言、引人入胜且相关的图形、与文化相关的示例以及清晰的导航。
当网站开发者不能代表目标受众时，以用户为中心的设计尤为重要。未能对具有代表性的受众进行适当的可用性测试可能会大幅降低网站的使用和价值。这种全面的可用性测试过程确定了一些改进措施，这些措施对所有用户都有益，但在试图覆盖服务不足的受众时变得至关重要。
