final project alpha test

Working title: USD Financial Aid Consumer Information
Report Author: Marie Garcia
Date: December 1, 2009


Brief Profile of Users
Three people took part in the alpha testing of the site.  Two of the testers were students at the University of San Diego.  They have a general knowledge of financial aid and have used the PDF version of the Financial Aid Consumer Guide.   One of the testers is a college graduate with little knowledge of the financial aid process. 

Think Aloud task
I instructed the users to navigate the site leisurely before I gave them a specific task.  While they navigated the site, I asked them to voice their thoughts out loud, saying what they liked and didn’t like about the site, the layout and the way the content is presented.  I also instructed each tester to find the “Cost of Attendance” within the site. 

Summary of Think Aloud
All three testers were able to find the “Cost of Attendance” information located under the General Consumer Info.  The testers felt the web site was fairly easy to navigate.  The two testers that were familiar with the PDF version of the guide felt that having the information available on a web site.  All testers felt that putting the scholarship and loan information in tables is easier to read and understand.  The tester unfamiliar with financial aid information also commented that financial aid links was well formatted and easy to read but felt that the contact page should be called “Contact Us” or “Contact Information.”

Summary of Posttest
The testers suggested that the links be made active links that you can click on, instead of having to copy and paste into a browser.  One of the testers also commented that some of the information is a little long, making it hard to follow and stay focused on the information.  In general, all three testers felt that most of the site is understandable and easy to navigate.

Findings to be Implemented
Based on the information gathered from the alpha test, I will make the following changes:

  • Change the “Contact” page to “Contact Information”
  • Make the links on the “Financial Aid Links” page, active links.
  • Break up the information on the Teaching Credential section so that the paragraphs are not as long

Findings that will not be Implemented

  • Even though providing more detailed information about lenders would be helpful for current students, some of the loan processes will be changing for the next academic year.
  • Putting some of the statistic information in a graph on the home page may confuse some people.  Keeping the information in paragraph form makes it formal, as if it’s a real letter from the Director of Financial Aid