Smashing Library expands again! We're so happy to announce our newest book, Accessible UX Research, is now available for download in eBook formats. Michele A. Williams takes us for a deep dive into the real world of UX testing, and provides a road map for including users with different abilities and needs in every phase of testing. But the truth is, you don't need to be conducting UX testing or even be a UX professional to get a lot out of this book. Michele gives in-depth descriptions of the assistive technology we should all be familiar with, in addition to disability etiquette, common pitfalls when creating accessible prototypes, and so much more.
Usability testing should always be part of product development. Ideally, it is conducted before release, but in practice it can be useful at different stages. It's worth pointing out that, "testing" isn't a goal in itself. Without knowing exactly what you want to measure, you risk ending up with feedback you can't interpret or act on. Every usability study can focus on a different aspect of the experience, and the right metrics depend on your research goals.