Writing a Test Script

Once your test plan is done, you need to write a test script. 0:00 Every researcher, regardless of experience level, should write a script for 0:04 the usability study. 0:09 A script ensures they don't miss any details, and 0:11 provides a consistent protocol for every participant. 0:14 Without this level of consistency, we can't be sure if findings are meaningful. 0:17 Here are a few components for your usability study script. 0:23 First set up the study. 0:27 Let the participants know why they're here, but 0:30 provide only the most necessary information. 0:33 For example, 0:37 we can tell our participants they're here to walk us through how they find AC units. 0:38 But we don't want to tell them about the high drop-off rates 0:43 since that is both confidential and could skew their behavior. 0:47 Second, make participants comfortable. 0:52 Usability studies can be uncomfortable, the participant is being watched 0:55 from many different angles and every single word is being recorded. 1:00 It's like being on stage without a prepared speech. 1:06 They can often feel like they're the ones being tested rather than the product. 1:10 Your job is to make the participants feel comfortable and 1:14 convince them that they're helping you test a product and not them. 1:18 Third, ask background questions. 1:24 In asking the participants background questions, 1:27 you will be doing two things, confirming that their 1:30 answers to the original background questions were truthful. 1:33 And second, learning more about each individual 1:36 in order to put their feedback into perspective. 1:40 Four, use consistent scenarios. 1:43 Write exactly how you will present the scenarios to each person. 1:46 That way, everyone receives the same information while reacting in 1:51 their own way, giving you the data needed to draw meaningful results. 1:56 Now that we know what goes into a great usability script, 2:02 let's watch how it plays out using a fictional study. 2:06