Usability Testing and Human Ethics

As part of our work in Computer Science, we sometimes need to evaluate the usability of software. The concept of "usability" can involve many issues, but is basically all about how easy software is to use for its intended purpose by its intended users. Usability evaluation is increasingly expected as part of any research or development project where usability is a central concern.

There are a number of approaches to evaluating usability, and many of them involve getting people to actually use the software. In applying such approaches, it is important to consider the rights of these people, and our obligations to them.

In the sections that follow, I document some VUW procedures to follow when doing usability testing. In particular, I explain the easy way to "do the right thing":

Background:

Some background and readings on usability and usability testing.

VUW rules:

A brief note on the VUW rules that govern and research and teaching that involve human subjects.

Generic approval:

How I sought and obtained generic approval for usability testing.

The easy way:

What to do to use the generic approval for usability testing.

Robert Biddle January, 2000