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Be a Part of User Research
Web Services is leading a campuswide effort to improve user experience across all digital assets the University manages and needs the help of students, staff, and faculty. Read about our efforts and find out how to get involved.
Join the Chico State User Group!
Test designs, share feedback, and make things happen. This is your chance to shape the future of campus websites and improve the experience of students, staff, and faculty for years to come!
What is User Research and Why it Matters
User research is a way to improve the quality of digital products such as websites or apps by gathering data and insights from people who use those products. It's the difference between designs based on guesswork and assumptions, and designs that solve real problems.
Our Research Methods
The primary research methods used by Web Services are:
Remote Usability Tests - Using their own computer or phone, users interact with design prototypes by following written instructions.
Tree Tests - Users are asked to find specific pages within a navigation menu that is isolated from other visual parts of a website.
Interviews - A question & answer session with people from the target audience. A great way to gather qualitative insights.
Visual Affordance Tests - with only brief glance of 3-5 seconds, users must describe the page they just saw and the content's purpose.