Project 1: Heuristic evaluation

Using the ten heuristics in Table 9.3 and the sample heuristic evaluation as a model, write a report in which you heuristically examine one of the websites from the list of test sites.

The report should be 5-8 pages. You will write reports individually. This report may become the basis for Project 2.

Outline

Here's a general outline for the paper.

Executive summary
- Summarize findings
- State scope
Inspection
- Preparation: what site was selected, context, scope, goals of evaluation
- Inspection: listing of heuristics used
Findings
- Heuristics
- Problems
- Recommendations

Tips

Some tips by section:

Executive Summary

Remember, this is a summary. Keep it short. Leave the detail for the body of the paper.

Inspection

Site. Give the name and the web address (URL) of the site you inspected.
Context. Give me an idea of how long the site has been in use in this form (that is, has it recently been redesigned?) and any other background knowledge that might be useful for understanding it.
Scope. Tell me how your inspection's scope was limited. For instance, did you limit by depth (all links from the home page, but only 1-2 links down) or by breadth (one category of link from the home page, all the way down).
Goals of evaluation. What issues are you investigating? Be more specific than "usability." For instance, if one audience is students, you'll want to figure out what the students' goals are as they visit the site, then evaluate the site according to those goals.
Heuristics. For each heuristic, repeat the short descriptive phrase that describes the heuristic, then summarize in one sentence, in your own words. For instance:

"1. Visibility of system status. The website should always provide appropriate
feedback so users know where they are in the site and what they can do at this
point."

Findings

Heuristics. Make sure to tie each observation to a heuristic. Use all of the heuristics.
Table. You don't have to use a table as long as you can clearly denote findings in another way, such as by using headings and lists.
Importance and severity. You can use these measures or not. If you do, define them and describe the scale you're using.
Findings and recommendations. You can have multiple findings and recommendations for each heuristic. Make sure that each finding has a recommendation and vice versa.

Due: September 19