Usability testing of the information search agent: Interface design issues

Abstract

Effectiveness of information technology use is one of the key issues influencing overall organization performance. Interface design of applications needs to support users in every day work activities. We propose a general methodology for testing the quality of software applications interfaces. Methods were verified in the research aimed at the usability testing of the information search agent for advanced retrieval of internet information (Copernic Agent Professional). The main methods used in our research were think-aloud protocols, but also interviews and observations. Paper characterizes the key findings together with recommendations for application performance improvements.