Usability Test Consent Form

Our group is studying how people use computers to access information. This will help us understand how to make information more useful to people. To do this, we need the help of people like you, so that we can observe people while they do particular tasks with computers. We are asking you to help us.

We will ask you to do one or more tasks, to be explained shortly, that will involve your use of some computer software. The observations that we make will be of considerable importance. The test itself might be very easy or very difficult. It might be quite interesting or it might be uninteresting. Before we start, we will tell you as much as we can about the test and our procedures, but we won't give you information that might affect how you do the tasks. After everything is finished, we will be happy to answer any other questions you have.

We want you to understand why we need your help. We want your participation to be a cooperative venture with us in adding to our understanding of how to make computers easier to use. In addition, we are required to get your written consent to participate (or, if you are less than 18 years old, we need the consent of your parent or guardian). If you agree to help us, you will be asked to sign the form. Please excuse the legal-sounding aspects of this document; we are required to use this language. If you have any questions about this document, please ask us.

  1. Test Description: The test we will ask you to do has the following purpose and procedures:
    • You will be asked to perform a series of tasks with some software on a computer.
    • You will be asked to think aloud so we can interpret what you are trying to do.
    • You will be video-taped during your use of the computer so that we may review the session later.
    • The time it takes you to complete each task will be recorded, so you should try to work efficiently.
    • Do not worry if you cannot complete a task.
    • You will be asked some questions about your preferences after completing the test.
  2. No Risks: There are no risks involved in this test.
  3. Questions: We will answer any questions you have about the test, except information that might affect your performance, which may be withheld until we are done. We will answer any questions you have then. After the experiment is over, we would like you to not discuss the experiment with others who might participate because it could affect their performance.
  4. Voluntary Participation: Although it is important to us that you finish the test, because our observations may not be useful unless we have a complete set, you may leave at any time before or during the test if you feel uncomfortable. We want you to continue because you want to cooperate, not because you feel obliged. If you are being paid for your participation, or are receiving other credit, you will get pay or credit proportional to the time you have spent. If participation is required for class credit, then an alternative activity will be provided.
  5. Confidentiality: Any public presentations or published reports of the results using your data will not include any means of identifying you, in order to provide confidentiality and privacy. We would be happy to provide to you any published reports on this work.
  6. Non-Disclosure: You may observe valuable proprietary information that we are maintaining as a trade secret. By signing below, you agree not to disclose any aspect of this test to anyone or use the information in any way without prior written permission from us.
  7. Evaluation of Software, Not Users: Finally, it is not you who is being evaluated in this study; it is the computer software that is being evaluated, so there are no right or wrong ways for you to perform.

Please sign on the line below if you agree to help us.



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(Participant's Printed Name and Signature)        (Date)             (Phone Number)