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Miriam Yom, Thorsten Wilhelm

Web Usability-Testing and Qualitative Methods – A Case-Study with Online-Focus Groups

In the field of user-based usability evaluation focus groups and in particular their online alternative are still little examined. In this article we investigate the effects of the special communication condition in online focus groups (OFGs) on quality and validity of the data. First we present the characteristics of synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) and thus relevant determinants of data quality in OFGs. Further-more we report results of a method comparison between conventional focus groups in the laboratory and OFGs for evaluating an online travelshop. There is empirical evidence that deficits of synchronous on-line communication can be adjusted by communication training. The descriptive topic analysis revealed strong overlaps of the statements in both communication situations.

i-com, Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag

Print ISSN: 1618-162X
Volume: 03, 01/2004
Pages: 022 - 028

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