Barnum's textbook offers an overview of usability and user-centered design. Citing extensively the research in usability at the time of publishing and reporting her first-hand research projects, Barnum attends to both theory and practical application of usability testing. In the first chapter Barnum defines key concepts of usability, user-centered design, and usability testing, and discusses basic issues including test models and the cost of usability testing. The second chapter is an overview of other methods used in usability studies other than testing. Chapter three through chapter eight elaborate the process of usability testing and tackle important issues such as audience and iterative testing. Chapter nine is specially devoted to Web usability. The book includes great examples of documents in usability testing such as audience analysis, the plan and report of testing. The appendix also offers tips of successful teamwork.
Although a bit outdated, the book is a great starting point for usability students. I found the first chapter a very nice overview of usability and user-centered design. The chapters elaborating usability testing process are great practical guide for anyone new to usability testing. Barnum projects an ethos that is authoritative yet approachable. Her style is assuring and encouraging, which is also very helpful for usability novice. The Web usability chapter, however, is not very satisfying. Barnum apparently appreciates Nielsen's work greatly, whom she cites extensively. However, perhaps because the Web has evolved at a speed that is incomparable to many other technologies, this chapter seems especially outdated. The lack of visual examples makes it even less appealing and useful.
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