Meredith- The way I've approached this in the past is to use a larger sample size and create a matrix of test components based upon actual or experimental relevance. For example, if section 1 of part A is the basis for section 4 of part B, then test that combination with 6 people, but test 4 other people with different parts of A and the same part of B. If section 4 and section 12 of B are complex for the same reason...they both require analysis of a scatter plot, or both require the user to read German, or whatever, then ose 4 as an analogy model for 12, but test the parts of 12 that are unique contextually using time to task or success metrics isolated from the context of the whole application. You basically have to do a lot more work in planning the test (really a series of related mini-tests), and the whole thing can look like a house of cards to the skeptics, but I've had a lot of success with it, both in getting the info I need and from various academic communities. One nice part is that it's a great example of what Saffer calls "conservation of complexity"...the UX professional is working a lot harder so that the test subjects and project stakeholders don't have to. If you have any other questions about this concept, feel free to contact me off-list. Dante Murphy
________________________________ Can anyone recommend methods for performing usability tests on large, complex applications with lots of conceptual dependencies? ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
