{"id":3184,"date":"2022-10-31T11:06:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T15:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torch.cci.fsu.edu\/~pmarty\/5275\/?p=3184"},"modified":"2022-10-31T11:06:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-31T15:06:21","slug":"individual-assignment-3-representative-user-test-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torch.cci.fsu.edu\/~pmarty\/5275\/?p=3184","title":{"rendered":"INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT 3: REPRESENTATIVE USER TEST"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Identified Website for Testing:<\/strong> TripAdvisor<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The identified site for testing is TripAdvisor, which is a travel information and booking site. It provides travel information on hotels, restaurants and attractions that is user generated content based on their own personal experiences. The site also allows individuals to research and book lodging, transportation and make reservations at restaurants. However, most TripAdvisor users rely on the site to provide information on things to do while on their trip more so than booking travel accommodations, given the popularity of competitors in that space, such being Orbitz, Book.com, Priceline, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tester Profile \/ Characteristics   <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Unfortunately, I could not find someone who fit the user profile for Group Assignment 2, which was a 42-year-old female from the Miami area that is married and has three children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The tester in this case is a single 34-year-old female from the Pheonix, Arizona area. She has a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) and works as a pharmacist for a large hospital network in Arizona. She is trying to plan to weekend vacation to New York City for her and her partner to attend a wedding for a college friend. She is looking for flights from Pheonix to NYC airports, including Newark, NJ, if the price and itinerary is a better option. The wedding is being held on Saturday, November 19th<\/sup> and they would like to get to NYC on Friday evening. In addition, they both need to return to Pheonix on Sunday evening, as they need to return to work on Monday morning. She would also prefer a hotel near Central Park, as this is relativity close to the venue and has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions and a safer part of New York City. They are both vegans, as such, they also would need to find food options that accommodate them. The tester has experience with other travel sites and is comfortable using technology in her daily life and has traveled to NYC in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

User Testing Method and Approach    <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The testing method used was the Think Aloud approach, as this made the most sense given that the testing was done remotely via Microsoft Teams. Screensharing, screenshots and overall observation was used to document testing results and feedback from the respective tester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Other testing methods such as the Empirical, Probing, Ethnographic Observations would also require the tester and moderator to be physically in the same location to be overall effective. This was a challenge given the physical distance and the costs of administrating these tests are exponentially more than of using Think Aloud via Microsoft Teams. The Paired Users was not used due to scheduling challenges and also the fact that performing the Paired Users testing would be far more effective when both testers are together and engaging in the actions as a team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Modification to Specific Tasks for Tester <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Given the challenges in finding a tester that matched the original user profile described in the Group Assignment 2, modifications were required to the User Tasks to fit the new scenario for this respective tester. These modifications were necessary, given the vast difference in the demographics and needs of the two users, such being their marital status, children, and that in this case it was a weekend trip for a wedding, rather than a cruise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  • TASK 1: <\/u><\/em><\/strong>Book a weekend trip to New York from Pheonix returning Sunday evening.<\/u><\/em><\/li>
  • This testing task was developed to assess the logical path they would take by the tester to address the ask. I am curious to see how the tester would start their search, if it is by date, pricing, or both to see what they prioritize first.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    • TASK 2:<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Find a hotel in Manhattan for the respective weekend near Central Park.<\/u><\/em><\/li>
    • The testing task was developed to assess the approach taken by the tester to navigate the site to find a hotel room that meets the requirements, given they have never used this site.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n