Discussion Question Set #10

As you study this week's material, please ponder the following discussion questions. Post your responses in the appropriate threads in WebCT. I may call upon you to answer a question in class.

1. What is the difference between formative and summative evaluation?

2. What are the key tradeoffs between evaluations done "in the lab" versus "in the field?"

3. What are the differences and tradeoffs between the "Think Aloud" and the "Constructive Interaction" techniques?

4. Discuss the key tradeoffs between (a) taking notes, (b) recording audiotape, and (c) recording videotape as data collection methods.

5. In what situations are diaries and interaction logs appropriate? What are the key differences between the two data collection methods?

6. In general, how does one choose a data analysis method?

7. What are the key differences between conversation analysis and content analysis? Are these techniques strictly qualitative?

8. In what situations might you want to collect quantitative data? How might you analyze such data?
   

9. What is an informed consent form? Why is it so important?

10. What are the key steps in performing a usability study? How many participants are sufficient?