National Science Foundation Website Redesign Usability Testing

Preliminary Questions

• What is your age?

• What is your level of experience with science, technology, or mathematics (STEM)?

• Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the National Science Foundation? (this is a screener question used to disqualify any current NSF employees)

Card Sort Test Instructions

Welcome to this card sort study and thank you for agreeing to participate! The activity shouldn't take longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Your response will help us to organize the content on upcoming versions of the National Science Foundation website. Find out how on the next page...

Step 1

• Take a quick look at the list of items to the left.

• We'd like you to sort them into groups that make sense to you.

• There is no right or wrong answer. Just do what comes naturally.

Step 2

• Drag an item from the left into this area to create your first group.

Step 3

• Click the title to rename your new group.

Step 4

• Add more items to this group by dropping them on top of it.

• Make more groups by dropping them in unused spaces.

• When you're done click "Finished" at the top right. Have fun!

Tree Test Instructions

Welcome to this tree test study and thank you for agreeing to participate! The activity shouldn't take longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Your response will help us to organize the content on the National Science Foundation website. Find out how on the next page...

Here's how it works:

• You will be asked to find a certain item in a list of links.

• Click through the list until you arrive at one that you think helps you complete the task.

• If you take a wrong turn, you can go back by clicking one of the links above.

• This is not a test of your ability, there are no right or wrong answers.

• That's it, let's get started!

Usability Test Instructions

Welcome to this usability study and thank you for agreeing to participate! The activity shouldn't take longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

Your response will help us ensure that the content on the National Science Foundation website is easy to find and that the features are easy to use. Find out how on the next page...

Here's how it works:

• You will be shown a prototype version of our website and will be given a list of tasks to perform.

• Complete the list of tasks using the prototype website.

• Since this is a prototype, not all of the links may be active or content available. We’ve filled in the important information to make the experience as realistic as possible.

• If you get stuck, feel free to click on the site logo in the upper left to return to the home page. If you find you can’t complete a task, skip ahead to the next one.

• It’s important to think out loud and share with us the reasons for your decisions.

• This is not a test of your ability, there are no right or wrong answers.

• That's it, let's get started!