Research in User eXperience Lab (RUX)

The Research in User eXperience (RUX) lab investigates issues related to user experience and usability of software, products, and processes. 

The lab conducts research and provides consulting services to industry in the following areas:

• Usability testing
• Expert/heuristic review
• Eyetracking
• Out-of-the-box experience evaluation
• Competitive product analysis
• Requirements gathering (online surveys, interviews, focus groups)
• Video Game Satisfaction (GUESS)

Equipment

• Tobii X60 Eye Tracker
• Tobii Glasses2
• HoloLens 1 and 2 Mixed Reality Headset
• Meta Quest Pro Mixed Reality Headset
• Computing equipment (PCs, laptops, tablets)

Usability Testing

We examine product ease-of-use from the users’ perspective. Using a systematic and empirical approach, we gather the following to assess usability and make design recommendations: 

Success

• Task success
• Time to complete tasks
• Efficiency (clicks/taps/keystrokes)
• User perceptions
• Intent to use/recommend

Expert/Heuristic review

Experts from the lab will evaluate website/product usability using our own set of heuristics and checklists, customized to the product domain. This provides an overview of potential product pitfalls as well as areas of delight to prospective users. This activity, when coupled with usability testing, provides a comprehensive review of usability from both the expert and end user perspective. 

Eyetracking

Examining WHERE users look on a web page helps designers understand user expectations and the impact of color, layout, and imagery on user search strategies.

Using the Tobii X2 eye tracker, we gather data regarding the number of fixations, fixation duration, and order of fixations by Area of Interest.  We also have the Tobii Glasses 2 which allow us to understand eye movements in mobile product environments.

Out-of-box experience (OOBE)

First impressions are lasting impressions, which is why the Out-of-the-Box Experience (OOBE) is important. We track users’ experiences from receiving and unboxing a product to the point where they start to use it. We identify roadblocks, common questions, and usability issues encountered through the process. Optimizing the OOBE can increase sales, user satisfaction, and customer loyalty. 

Competitive Product Analysis

Knowing where your product stands against your competitors is critical. We ask users to compare and contrast products to one another in a systematic and empirical manner. In addition to usability testing metrics, we gather user input on preference, delights, and frustrations with all products. Sometimes it is better to know what features do not work for a product as much as those that do. 

Requirements Gathering

Understanding your users and how they use your product is extremely important when optimizing their user experience. This can be done through interviews, focus groups, online surveys, or simply observation.  We employ a variety of methods to capture user needs, capabilities, desires, frustrations, and requirements.

Video Game Satisfaction (GUESS)

The Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS) is a recently validated survey that breaks down overall satisfaction into nine dimensions. An analysis of over 450 different video games with 1,300 participants resulted in the determination of the nine factors that contribute to video game satisfaction. The GUESS was created following best practices of scale development and provides a comprehensive measure of video game satisfaction.