usability lab

Terms from Human Computer Interaction the Basics

The glossary is in progress.

A usability lab is a special facility to investigate and evaluate the human use of digital systems. Often this will consist of two rooms linked by a one-way mirror. One room is usually flexible, sometimes with soft seating for focus groups, but, for usability testing, may be transformed by shifting furniture to emulate different situations such as a shop, or home. The other room is where researchers can view and record users as they engage with products, typically including video recording and system logs, but potentially other forms of sensors too.
Some usability laboratories are focused on a particular domain, for example a home or driving simulator.