← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

Rating an interface against the useability principles

Judging an interface against accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability as met, partly met or not met, with testing evidence for each rating.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 66

Understanding Rating an interface against the useability principles in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1

What it does: Partly met sits between Met and Not met. The evidence shows a mixed result: some testers succeeded and some did not. A good rating names the principle, gives the rating and cites testing evidence such as numbers or observations. Evidence comes from testing, like counts of testers or observed errors. Personal feelings are not evidence. Some accessibility features work but a key task is still blocked, so the principle is only partly met. Most new users could not learn to find a key feature on their own, so learnability is not met. Include the 1 of 6 result as evidence.

Common mistakes: All 5 of 5 users finished the task, so the evidence supports a rating of Met. The line should read 'Rating: Met'. The evidence shows one safety feature works and one is missing, so the principle is only partly met. The line should be 'Rating: Partly met'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 82–148) and word search (Modules 82–380).

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Learning
Duo
A tester completes every task in a booking app with no errors. Which rating fits the effectiveness principle?
Met, because all tasks were completed correctlyNot met, because the app has too many screens
Matches
Utility: Met - I think the app looks nice
↓
The rating is based on an opinion about looks, not testing evidence, and looks do not show utility
Applying
Meanings
Term
Useability rating
Meaning
Judging an interface against accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability as met, partly met or not met, with testing evidence for each rating.
Practice
Accessibility: Not met - no alt text on 4 images
Testing
Gaps
Principle:
Check Answer
Spots
3Result: 5 of 5 users finished
4Rating: Not met

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Quick Questions

1. A tester completes every task in a booking app with no errors. Which rating fits the effectiveness principle?
A. Met, because all tasks were completed correctly ✓
B. Not met, because the app has too many screens
A rating must be backed by evidence from testing. Every task was completed without errors, so effectiveness is met.
2. Which statement is a rating with evidence?
A. Safety is partly met: I just feel the app is okay
B. Safety is partly met: 3 of 5 testers deleted a file by accident with no warning ✓
Evidence comes from testing, like counts of testers or observed errors. Personal feelings are not evidence.
3. A text-to-speech option exists, but screen reader users cannot reach the Submit button. What is the best accessibility rating?
A. Met
B. Partly met ✓
Some accessibility features work but a key task is still blocked, so the principle is only partly met.
4. Only 1 of 6 new users could find the settings menu without help. Which rating suits learnability?
A. Not met ✓
B. Met
Most new users could not learn to find a key feature on their own, so learnability is not met. Include the 1 of 6 result as evidence.
5. Which rating options can be used for each useability principle?
A. Met, partly met or not met ✓
B. Pass, merit or distinction
In this module, each principle is judged as met, partly met or not met.

Match the Pairs

Effectiveness: Met → Every tester finished the task they were given, so the interface does what users need it to do
Safety: Not met → Testers deleted data by accident and nothing warned them or let them undo it
A Partly met rating needs evidence showing some success and some problems → Learnability: Partly met - 3 of 5 testers found Save without help
Every rating must be backed by evidence from testing, not just an opinion → Accessibility: Met - all 5 testers read the text and used alt text
Utility: Met - I think the app looks nice → The rating is based on an opinion about looks, not testing evidence, and looks do not show utility
Effectiveness: Met - 1 of 5 testers finished the task → The evidence does not support the rating: only 1 of 5 testers completed the task, so it should be Not met or Partly met

Key Term

Useability rating
Judging an interface against accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability as met, partly met or not met, with testing evidence for each rating.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Principle: Safety Evidence: Delete asks "Are you sure?" first Rating: Met
Hint: Type the useability principle that protects users from mistakes and harm.
2. Principle: Effectiveness Evidence: 5 of 5 users finished the task Rating: Met
Hint: Type the rating that fits when every user succeeded.
3. Principle: Accessibility Evidence: No alt text on any image Rating: Not met
Hint: Type the rating that fits when the testing evidence shows the principle was not achieved at all.
4. Principle: Learnability Evidence: 3 of 5 users found Help unaided Rating: Partly met
Hint: Type the rating for evidence showing only some users succeeded.
5. Principle: Utility Evidence: Search works but has no filters Rating: Partly met
Hint: Type the label for the testing observations that support the rating.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Principle: Effectiveness
B Task: Book a ticket
C Result: 5 of 5 users finished
D Rating: Not met
Line D — All 5 of 5 users finished the task, so the evidence supports a rating of Met. The line should read 'Rating: Met'.
Question 2
A Principle: Safety
B Rating: Met
C Good: Delete shows a warning
D Gap: Quit has no warning
Line B — The evidence shows one safety feature works and one is missing, so the principle is only partly met. The line should be 'Rating: Partly met'.
Question 3
A Principle: Accessibility
B Evidence: 3 images no alt text
C Rating: Almost met
Line C — Ratings must be one of Met, Partly met or Not met. 'Almost met' is not a valid rating. It should be 'Rating: Partly met'.
Question 4
A Principle: Utility
B Need: Check due dates
C Evidence: I like the colours
D Rating: Met
Line C — Evidence must come from testing and relate to the user need. A personal opinion about colours says nothing about utility. It should be something like 'Evidence: App lists all dates'.
Question 5
A Principle: Attractiveness
B Test: New users, no help given
C Evidence: 4 of 5 done in 2 min
D Rating: Met
Line A — The five useability principles are accessibility, effectiveness, safety, utility and learnability. Attractiveness is not one of them. The test is about learnability.

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