Card-sorting Usability Test Script
Leads: Katherine Dexter Willis, Annis Barbee
Monitor: Yinon Bentor
April 2004
Thank you for coming today. My name is______. Today we’re going to be asking you to group some terms into categories, and then suggest labels for those categories, so we can get a sense of how we might improve the organization and description of the services and information on our web site. First, please read and sign this Talent Release Form.
The purpose of this exercise is to help us identify what categories of information should be on our web site and what those categories should be called. Please think out loud as you complete this card-sorting task so we can better understand your thought process. One of us will be taking some notes to record your comments and observations. Once you have organized the cards into groups, we will be asking you to name those groups by writing group labels on some blank cards we’ll provide. Then, we will be asking you to organize the categories in order of importance.
There are a few things to keep in mind as you group these cards:
First, we are very interested in any suggestions you might have for alternative terminology. If you would be more likely to look for information using another term, please let us know what alternative words you would use. We’re providing some cards that you can write those words on and then clip them to the term you would change.
Second, if you are unsure of what service or information a term refers to, please feel free to ask. The terms are not intended to be confusing or misleading in any way, so feel free to ask for clarification at any time.
Third, you may come across terms that you would consider to be synonyms, or words that refer to the same type of information. Feel free to indicate your preferred term and set aside the term or terms that are not your preference.
Also feel free to set aside any terms you feel do not fit into a category, or to add terms if you feel some are missing. One important point is that for this exercise we are focusing on terms related to general information about the library and library services. We’re not particularly focusing on terminology relating to research, which is a whole other area of investigation. You’re not going to see many terms relating to our research databases or our online catalog, and that is intentional.
If you feel like taking a break, or stopping the test, at any time, you are free to do so and will still receive compensation. Just let us know.
Before we begin, do you have any questions?
AT THE END OF THE SESSION
Once again, thanks for coming today. Do you have any comments or questions about today’s session?
Pay participant and have them sign a receipt acknowledging payment.
If you have any questions or concerns after the test, feel free to contact us – there is a business card in the envelope.
Record arrangement of cards using the numbers on the back of the cards. Record group labels and alternative terminology.
Clean up and prepare for next participant.