Usability Testing and Human Ethics: The Easy Way

The Human Ethics Committee approved my generic application to the Human Ethics Committee to cover usability testing in teaching and research situations. I wrote the proposal in as general a way as seemed reasonable, but of course it couldn't cover every thing one might possibly do to test usability.

The approval means that we can now involve people in usability testing without any additional approval from the HEC. However, there are two important principles:

  • Firstly, for usability testing to be covered by my generic approval, the terms specified in my application must be adhered to. This means you must read and understand my application, and follow what it says. You must use the information sheet and consent form that I describe, because those forms were approved by the HEC as part of the application.
  • Secondly, for usability testing procedures that are not covered by my generic application, you must make an explicit application to the HEC. Alternatively, I suppose, you could seek to alter or widen the terms of my application.

    So, that's it. I hope the generic approval makes it easier to undertake usability testing, and I hope my application is sufficiently clear. If you have any comments, queries, or suggestions, please send me email.

    Robert Biddle
    January, 2000
    robert@mcs.vuw.ac.nz.

    Here are the relevant documents:

  • My application in MS Word format.
  • My application in HTML (MSW conversion).
  • My application in postscript.
  • The information shseet and consent form specified in my application, in latex.
  • The information sheet and consent form specified in my application, in postscript.
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