EGL1340_for Kim Woods only

The Proposal is the first document you will build in working toward a usability test and eventual recommendation. In many ways, the proposal is proof to your sponsor that you have done research to become familiar with the needs of their organization and how their website should meet those needs. It also shows that you have a plan of action for research and usability testing. Ultimately, you want your sponsor to have “buy-in,” or faith that you can accomplish the task.

Parts of the Proposal (10-12 pages):

I. Title page/Summary (1 page)

II. Introduction: Rhetorical Situation (1-2 pages)

a. Sponsor: Who is the organization who own the website?

b. Audience: Who is the audience for their website? Consider main and sub-audiences.

c. Message: Discuss the current website. Explain what its purpose,

d. Context: Are there other websites that have the same aim or purpose? (That you can use as comparison)

III. Tasks: (5-6 pages)

a. Understand users' needs: Discuss your sponsor's needs and what you know about good website design and usability. (Ultimately, your sponsor's needs and the needs of good design and usability need to meet)

i. Background research on the organization and their needs (1-2 sources)

ii. Background research on website design (2-3 sources)

iii. Background research on website usability (2-3 sources)

b. Determine the Purpose of the Test: Explain how you will use the test and the data you obtain from the test. Identify Usability Qualities you will test for when you conduct your usability test (as determined by what the sponsor needs, your research from the textbook, and your outside research on website design and usability).

c. Preparation for the Usability Test

i. Staff the Test Team:

1. Discuss team members and what their credentials are in studying website design and usability, conducting research and testing, and/or writing the reports.

2. Discuss individual strengths and individual tasking/responsibilities.

ii. Develop a Test Plan to Test Usability Qualities. Organize this discussion by the Usability Qualities, explaining how you intend to collect data (quantifiable and qualifiable)

iii. Prepare the Test Material (data collection sheets, scripts, etc)

iv. Conduct a Pilot Test

d. Conducting the Usability Test (this will actually happen after you submit the Proposal)

i. How will you interact with the users during the test?

ii. How will you debrief the user?

e. Interpreting and Reporting Data

i. In what document and how will you report data to the sponsor?

ii. How will you interpret data? How and when will you present this to your sponsor?

IV. Schedule (1 page)

V. References (MLA style citation) (1 page)

VI. Appendix (2-4 pages)

a. Scripts

b. Data Collection Sheets

Due Date: Thursday, October 22 (at the end of class)

Submit one hard copy per group.