Common tree testing challenges
In this final chapter, we'll look at common challenges you may face when conducting tree testing and how to overcome them. Here, we're assuming you're using tree testing for its ideal use case and are unlikely to run into functionality issues or problems with the type of data you collect (i.e. where a different test would have been more appropriate). With that in mind, here are some common challenges you may face when conducting tree testing.
Tree testing guide
Addressing potential biases
It's important to recognize that biases can inadvertently influence the outcomes of tree testing, just like any other form of usability testing. One common pitfall is guiding participants toward the correct answer through the wording of test tasks or questions. This can happen when tasks are overly instructional or when they include the label itself, leading participants to choose the correct option more often than they might have otherwise.
To mitigate these biases and protect the integrity of your results, you need to critically assess your test materials before distributing them to your participants. Consider the following questions:
Does the task direct users toward the correct path?
Is the label name included directly within the task?
If the answer to either of these questions is yes, you should revise the wording to minimize bias.
By crafting neutral, scenario-based tasks that don't overtly lead participants toward specific paths or options, you can enhance the validity and reliability of your tree testing outcomes. This approach helps to maintain the integrity of the testing process and makes sure that insights accurately reflect user behavior and preferences.
Dealing with inconclusive or unexpected results
Sometimes, you might get data that seems to conflict, such as a high success rate paired with a lengthy average time to completion. In these instances, it's important to delve deeper into additional metrics to get a better understanding of the user experience.
For example, in this scenario, it might indicate a low directness percentage, suggesting that users navigated through a convoluted path to reach the desired outcome. This highlights a potential usability issue that requires further investigation and refinement.
Alternatively, inconclusive or unexpected results might stem from ambiguously worded tasks. If you’re concerned a task isn’t clear, it’s worth asking another team member to review the questions to check for potential confusion.
In Lyssna, you can add comments to any section or question of a test, on both the test builder and test results pages. This is a useful way to get feedback from your team on a test before you share it with participants, or to discuss your findings.
If there are still discrepancies or the results are confusing, you can use this as evidence to recommend further qualitative testing. User interviews or think-aloud protocols offer opportunities to gain deeper insights into the challenges your participants faced during tree testing.
By supplementing quantitative findings with qualitative exploration, you can uncover underlying issues, understand your users better, and inform design enhancements.
Iterations based on user feedback
Refining your tree structure based on user feedback is a critical step in the iterative design process. Whether your test uncovers numerous minor issues or a handful of significant concerns, iterating on your initial design guarantees that your information architecture is continually evolving to meet user needs and expectations.
While iteration fosters improvement, it can also introduce challenges, particularly regarding version control and data management. To navigate these complexities effectively, it's important to maintain clear organization and separation of your tree structure versions and corresponding data. By treating each iteration as a distinct project until the analysis is complete, you can prevent confusion and streamline the comparison process across different design iterations.
By making iteration a key part of your design process, you can improve and fine-tune your tree structure step by step. This focuses on the user and lets you keep making changes to match their needs and habits.
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