WE-QT: A Web Usability Inspection Technique to Support Novice Inspectors

Abstract

Given the growth in the usage of Web Applications, the usability of these applications has become a key success factor. There are several technologies to evaluate and improve this quality factor. However, the usability inspections results still depend on the inspector's experience. We have proposed a Web usability inspection approach, called WE-QT (Web Evaluation -- Question Technique), a question based technique that aims to reduce the difficulties of inspectors with little knowledge of usability. We are following an empirical methodology to support its development and improvement. This paper presents two experimental studies conducted until this point of the research: a feasibility and an observational study. We discuss the qualitative and quantitative results of both studies and their impact on improving the WE-QT. With this paper we also aim to spread the knowledge about experimental studies to evaluate and evolve a new software engineering technology.