Usability Testing in Survey Research (Online)

Register here!  
 
This two-day (3/29 AND 3/31) course will be offered via Zoom only and will not be recorded.

Usability testing in survey research allows in-depth evaluation of how respondents and interviewers interact with questionnaires, particularly web and mobile surveys. A respondent may understand the survey question and response options, but may be unable to select their answer accurately on the small screen of a smartphone. Although there is a growing body of literature on best practices for web surveys and mobile devices, not all design guidelines work equally well for all surveys and all survey populations. In addition, it is clear that the capabilities of computerized surveys are constantly emerging. Examples are the use of images, videos, maps and GPS, interactive features, and mobile devices. As a result, it is critical for researchers to have the necessary tools to evaluate, test, and modify surveys to incorporate user-centered design in an iterative method as part of the survey pretesting process.

This course will count as 7.0 CSS short course credits.

Instructors: Emily Geisen and Jennifer Romano

Emily Geisen is a Senior Experience Management scientist at Qualtrics. She manages a team of 10 Project Managers in Qualtrics’ Sample Science and Delivery unit. She specializes in improving data quality and reducing respondent burden in web surveys by employing best practices in questionnaire design, visual design, and user experience. She has 17 years of applied experience offering client-focused solutions related to developing and evaluating survey questionnaires, designing methodological research studies, developing sampling designs, user experience, and measuring and reducing nonresponse bias. Prior to Qualtrics, she managed RTI International’s Cognitive/Usability Laboratory and Agile Web Survey group. She coauthored the book Usability Testing for Survey Research with Jennifer Romano. She is currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the online journal Survey Practice. Ms. Geisen teaches graduate courses on Questionnaire Design (at the University of North Carolina) and Usability Testing (through the International Program in Survey and Data Science).

Jennifer Romano is a Staff UX Researcher and Manager at Google, an instructor at UC Berkeley Extension, an instructor at the University of Maryland, and a UXR Coach. She specializes in efficient applications of research methods to ensure scientific rigor is not compromised while working fast to gain actionable results. Jen’s research specialties include usability, eye tracking, survey design, experimental design, and cognitive aging. Jen is an established expert in the field – she teaches graduate-level classes, trains UX professionals, and coaches people who are entering the field. She is co-author of Usability Testing for Survey Research (2017) and co-author/editor of Eye Tracking in User Experience Design (2014). She has held UX positions in both industry (Facebook, Instagram, Bridgewater Associates, Principles by Ray Dalio, Fors Marsh Group) and government (US Census Bureau), and has worked as an independent consultant as well.

Jen is an established leader in the UX field: she is the founder of the mentorship program, webinar program, and short course program for the UXPA. She is the founder of the Research Challenge Workshop and is expanding her coaching business to include a network of coaches. She is past President of the UXPA, past Director of Marketing and Communications for the UXPA, past President of the DC chapter of UXPA, past President of DC chapter of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), and past Membership Chair for the Pacific chapter of AAPOR (PAPOR). Jen received a Ph.D. in Applied/Experimental Psychology from Catholic University of America.

Registration fees:

• Certificate of Survey Science Students: $40
• UNC-CH Students: $65
• UNC-CH Faculty/Staff/Postdoc: $90
• Non UNC-CH: $90

Additional course information:

• This class will be offered via Zoom ONLY. Registration opens 1/28/22. Registration closes at 12:01am, 3/26/2022. Once registration closes, no late registrations will be accepted, no exceptions.
• Cancellation/ Refund Policy: A full refund will be given to those who cancel their registration no later than 10 days prior to the course. If you cancel within the 10 days prior to the class, no refund will be given. Please allow 30 days to receive your refund.
• Zoom link for this course will be sent prior to the course. Registration must be made at least 3 days prior to the course date to receive the Zoom link.

 
For questions regarding the status of this class, please contact Jill Stevens at jill_stevens@unc.edu