I don't alter myself or role, but a key is how to position the test itself. I stress the fact that my goal is to make the best possible product/experience/interface for them, and their opinions are crucial. I stress that they will not hurt my feelings and when applicable, that it is not my work. To be quite honest, when I tell subjects it isn't my work you can physically see them relax slightly.
The best method for me generally is to reiterate that I'm there to make something better. I try to avoid the word "test" since no matter how many times you say you're testing the system/interface, people always get a bit anxious. If you paint it in the positive light of you need their help to improve, people are generally more suggestive and don't view it as criticism. When possible, I think it wise not to have the designer be the test facilitator. I've run some tests where inexperienced designers have been present and actually start discussing the design rationale with the subject or defending their decisions. Even if they don't verbally interject into the test, their non-verbal reactions affect the test and subject. I wince whenever it's mandated or "asked" for the designer to sit-in as I know my results will be pretty much useless. Good luck! Erin ________________________________________________________________ *Come to IxDA Interaction08 | Savannah* February 8-10, 2008 in Savannah, GA, USA Register today: http://interaction08.ixda.org/ ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe ................ http://gamma.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://gamma.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://gamma.ixda.org/help
