User Experience
Moderated Testing
Plain English
Testing with someone guiding the user through it.
Definition
Moderated testing is a guideUsability TestingObserving users complete tasks to identify usability issues, friction, and barriers to success.Open guide method where a facilitator guides the participant through tasks.
In practice
A researcher interacts with the user, asks follow-up questions, and probes for deeper glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term.
In context
The facilitator's discipline is silence. The instinct to help when a participant struggles destroys the finding you were there to collect.
The reality
Facilitators can unintentionally influence glossaryBehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term if not careful.
Compared with
Moderated Testing vs Unmoderated Testing
Moderated glossarySessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term allow follow-up questions and can explore the unexpected, at higher cost per participant. Unmoderated scales cheaply and captures glossaryBehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term without a facilitator's influence, but cannot ask why.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is moderated testing?
It is guideUsability TestingObserving users complete tasks to identify usability issues, friction, and barriers to success.Open guide led by a facilitator.
When should you use moderated testing?
When you need deeper glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term or want to ask follow-up questions.
What is a risk of moderated testing?
The facilitator influencing glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term.
What are the benefits?
Richer glossaryInsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term and the ability to probe deeper.
Related Services
Related Guides
Related Terms
