When to use each type of test in the UserTesting platform

When looking to test a site, app, concept, or prototype, you might have questions about which UserTesting test would best serve your testing objectives. This article breaks down commonly used UserTesting test types and when to use each.

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When to use Live Conversations

  • A Live Conversation test is a type of moderated test where you oversee and communicate with participants in real-time as they take the test.
  • This method is great for discovery interviews, concept testing, or prototype testing.
  • It allows you to:
    • Guide participants in real time if they encounter technical difficulties.
    • Ask personalized follow-up questions and receive immediate responses.
    • Observe visual cues such as body language and surroundings, which may reveal insights not captured in unmoderated tests.

 

 

When to choose standard unmoderated tests

  • Standard unmoderated tests allow contributors to test a concept, prototype, website, or app independently without a moderator present.
  • During these tests, contributors complete tasks you’ve written and provide verbal feedback, all while their session is being recorded.
  • Consider using this format when you want to:
    • Get feedback quickly. Set up the test and leverage the UserTesting Contributor Network to receive results, often within the same day.
    • Use larger sample sizes. You can include more contributors without requiring a moderator for each session, such as running a card sort with 30 participants.
    • Provide contributors with scheduling flexibility. They can choose when and where to complete the test.
    • Ensure contributors complete the test in a natural, comfortable environment, offering authentic insights.

 

When short tests are the right choice

  • Short tests are designed to collect focused feedback through five-minute video responses, making them perfect for answering one key question.
  • They are a great starting point for more in-depth research and can guide decision-making throughout the design and development process.
  • Here are some ways to use short tests effectively:
    • First impressions: Use short tests to gather quick initial reactions to a design, site, or app.
    • Validate concepts and designs: Run a short test featuring one or two screens of a prototype to gain feedback that informs your design-development decisions.
    • Diary studies: Use short tests as daily check-ins for a diary study where participants test a product over multiple days or sessions.
    • Pre-screening for Live Conversation: Identify contributors who best fit your testing goals, such as confirming expertise or relevance for your research.

 

 

When quick answer tests are the most effective

  • Quick Answer tests are predefined, unmoderated tests launched from a template to address specific, targeted testing goals.
  • These tests allow you to quickly gather feedback by selecting a test type from the Quick Answer gallery, providing preliminary details, and defining your audience.
  • Use Quick Answer tests when you want to:
    • Fill in a few details about the item you want feedback on to quickly launch a test with minimal setup.
    • Leverage tasks and questions built by UserTesting’s research experts to suit your specific goals.
  • For more information, refer to the "Quick Answers: Overview" Knowledgebase article or the Using Quick Answers University course.

 

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