Moderator Script - Garrett Minster

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Garrett Minster, and today we'll be conducting a usability test of one of my favorite childhood websites, the website for Fisher Price, a classic brand of children's toys. Fisher Price's website has changed quite a bit since I was a kid, so I thought it would be interesting to test all the new features and elements that have been added to the site over the past twenty years. With the assistance of a usability tester we will go through various user scenarios and tasks I have prepared to help evaluate the site's efficiency, effectiveness, and overall usability. Some of the site elements we will be testing will include the site's search engine, search filters, Fisher Price's webstore and links to affiliate stores, and informative content around the site. The tasks our usability tester will perform are all based around standard site navigation and other standard tasks users of Fisher Price's website are likely to attempt. Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our usability tester. Today, we're joined by __________. He/she is ____________________. (info about the usability tester goes here) Could you please introduce yourself to the audience, __________? (Tester introduces themselves.)

Questions for the tester and the moderator

Thank you, __________. Before we begin the usability test, I'd like to ask you a few brief questions. These questions will help me gather some relevant information about you in relation to the test such as your age, your demographic, your knowledge of the Fisher Price brand, and usage of similar websites:

1. How old are you?


2. What is your gender? / Are you a boy or a girl?


3. What is your ethnicity?


4. Are you a parent or grandparent of children between the ages 0 - 6?


5. Are any of your relatives (such as siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews) between the ages 0 - 6?


6. Is navigating websites and webpages easy for you?


7. Do you shop on any online storefronts (such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.)? If so, which ones?


8. Do you prefer to shop in person or online?


9. Have you ever gone on a "Toy Hunt" or specifically gone shopping for toys?


10. Are you familiar with the Fisher Price name and brand?


11. Are you familiar with Fisher Price products (such as Little People, Thomas & Friends, Power Wheels, or Imaginext)?


12. Have you used or visited Fisher Price's website recently?


13. Did you use or visit Fisher Price's website as a child?

Thanks, __________. Now that you have answered my questions, do you have any questions you would like to ask me before we move on?

• "When did you first use/visit Fisher Price's website?"


• I first visited Fisher Price's website when I was six years old, so around 2004.


• "How familiar are you with the current website?"


• I have become quite familiar with the current website for Fisher Price and its various design elements throughout an independent evaluation of the site.


• "How familiar are you with the previous version of the website?"


• I was able to refresh my memory of the version of Fisher Price's website I visited as a kid by using a website called the "Internet Wayback Machine." This site allows users to see archived webpages taken on specific dates.


• "What are the main goals of this usability test?"


• The main goals of this usability test are to test the overall efficiency of Fisher Price's website and to test various functions and elements of the site through user tasks and scenarios.


• "Who is the primary audience for this website?"


• The primary audience of this site are parents, relatives, and friends of children ages 0 - 6 who are interested in purchasing Fisher Price branded toys and baby gear. The site could also be directed to younger children who are also interested in Fisher Price's products.


• "Can you give an overview of the tasks or scenarios we'll be going through?"


• Many of the tasks you will be going through are related to site navigation such as the site's search engine, search filters, and links. Other tasks will focus on purchasing products from various sources including Fisher Price's webstore, other recommended web retailers, and physical retail stores in your area who carry Fisher Price products. The scenarios you will work through will focus on basic site navigation, locating a specific product or genre of products, and locating specific information like product warranties and informative content.

Do you have any other questions you would like to ask me, __________? Alright then!

Final instructions

Before we begin the usability test, I want to inform you of a couple of final notes and instructions. It is important that you think out loud and explain your thoughts behind the decisions you make throughout this test. In order to properly evaluate Fisher Price's website, I need to know if any of the site's elements or any of the tasks you are presented with are confusing or frustrating. I can't tell how you feel if you don't speak your mind throughout the test, so please speak aloud throughout the test. Lastly, it does not matter how you decide to carry out any of the tasks you are presented with, or how long it takes you to carry out some of them as long as it does not take time away from any of your remaining tasks. There are no wrong answers to this test. The website isn't testing you. You are testing the website. Any final questions? Alright, then let's begin the test!

The eight tasks

Here is your first user scenario: As a start, try looking around Fisher Price's homepage. Try using the navigation tools and browse through different sections available on the homepage that pique your interest.

Alright! Here is your second scenario: Locate the search function to look up a specific toy. After finding it, see if you can easily find details like pricing, features, and reviews. Then, try a broader search (e.g., using a brand or theme) and see what results come up.

Alright! Here is your third scenario: Locate the toy categories and filter by age group to look for toys for an age group of your choice. Explore other filtering options made available to you and see if they're helpful.

Alright then! Here is your fourth scenario: Locate a toy you like and find the "You may also like" section. Try the same with other toys and see if the suggestions in this section change.

Okay! Here is your fifth scenario: Locate the customer support section of Fisher Price's website and look for warranty information.

Okay! Here is your sixth user scenario: Select a toy and go through the purchasing process. Try this with another toy to see if the process feels consistent.

Okay! Here is your seventh user scenario: Look for any educational/informative resources or articles on Fisher Price's website

Alright! Here is your final user scenario: Locate information on Fisher Price's website regarding recalls of toys and other products.

Conclusion

With that, we have officially completed all eight usability scenarios. I would like to thank __________ one last time for participating in my usability test and thank you all for watching our test. So long for now!