STRAIT-LINE     STUD FINDER      
Usability Test

Kevin J. Goetz
ITEDU 510
Spring 2004


INTRODUCTION
The STRAIT-LINE stud finder is designed to enable users to easily locate studs in walls up to 1-1/2" thick. It boasts Auto on/off with contact, light and sound signals for wood or metal studs, and a press button to mark location. It was also designed to connect with a laser level to locate the length of the stud.
READY.    LOCATE.    MARK.TM

PURPOSE
The purpose of this usability test is to determine whether the instructions and the design of this product are sufficient to assure that an average consumer would be able to operate the stud finder successfully.

PROCEDURE
Eight participants were tested individually for their ability to read instructions and test the STRAIT-LINE stud finder.
The setting for the test was a quiet, well lit, dining room. Participants were asked to be seated at a table and given Instructions to read. On the table was a stud finder, a battery, a pencil, and a red marker. An introductory paragraph thanked participants for participating in the test and directed them to feel free to express there feelings as they proceeded through the testing.
Participants were then directed to a Pre-Test Questionnaire. The next step was to have the participants read the remaining directions for the use of the stud finder. Once done, participants were directed to the test wall were they attempted to locate (3) studs in a row. The wall was covered with kraft paper and was changed before each test so as not to influence the participants in the test.
During each test, participants were observed and noted on an Observations Check List. These observations were then used to determine how well each participants completed their tasks and where the participants had difficulty. The final task was for the participants to complete a Post-Test Questionnaire.

TEST RESULTS
    a.  Pre-Test Results
    b.  Observations Results
    c.  Post-Test Results

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of the usability test, participant observations, and comments there are several areas that could use improving. The marking pin was difficult to use, meaning the impression it made in the wall was difficult or impossible to see. One participant commented on why someone would want to put marks into the wall. Most all of the female participants failed to mark both edges of each studs, which made marking or finding center of the studs difficult. One participant had a problem reading the lettering on the off/on/off switch which was the same color as the rest of the stud finder body. Most of the participants had some difficulty removing the battery, as the battery becomes wedged during it's installation.


RECOMMENDATIONS
My recommendations are as follows;
    1.    Eliminate or redesign the button marker Perhaps a marking system that leaves a pencil mark.
    2.    Improve the instructions to better explain the principle of marking both edges of the stud to better locate the                       center line.  An additional diagram might be helpful.
    3.    Color the lettering on the off/on/off switch
    4.    Redesign the battery compartment to allow additional room for the battery. This would allow the battery to                           be removed safely.      



APPENDIX

a. Usability Test Script
 b. Pre-test Questionnaire
c. Post-Test Questionnaire
 d. Observations Checklist
e. Pre-Test Questionnaire Results
 f. Observations Checklist Results
h. Post-Test Questionnaire Results
 i. Disclaimer







USABILITY TEST SCRIPT and TEST PARTICIPANT INSTRUCTIONS


Thank you for taking the time to participate in the testing of the STRAIT-LINE Stud Finder.  I am testing the Stud Finder to determine how usable this product is to the average consumer.  This is not a test of your personal abilities as all test results are directed towards the product. I am going to give you a list of tasks to complete and will be observing and documenting each step as it is attempted.  Please feel free to think out loud or express your feelings during this test, as it will help me to better determine the usability of this Stud Finder.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE PRE-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE “Sheet A”  BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE NEXT SECTION.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

CAUTION:
Keep the tool out of the reach of children and other untrained persons.

Remove the battery when storing the tool for an extended time to avoid damage to the tool should the battery deteriorate.

This Stud Finder is designed for use on dry, interior walls only.
Do not nail, drill, or cut into a wall that has electrical wiring or hidden water pipes as this may result in serious injury. If electrical wiring is contained in the wall, turn the circuit off before cutting into the wall.

It is possible for the Stud Finder to detect wiring and/ or water pipes, but this tool is primarily designed for detecting wood and metal studs on drywall up to 1-1/2” deep. Studs or joists are normally spaced at 16” or 24” apart and have an edge width of 1-1/2”. Anything detected closer together or a different width may not be a stud, joist or firebreak.


BATTERY INSTALLATION:

HOW TO USE YOUR STRAIT-LINE STUD FINDER

    1. First, slide the three position switch to the “On” position on the back of the unit.

    2. Hold the Stud Finder in position flat on testing surface for approximately 5 seconds until the upper green                             LED is OFF and the “beep” sound stops. This indicates successful calibration.  It is important that the unit is not                 calibrated over a stud.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
    Do not move the unit during calibration phase

    3. To start scanning, hold Stud Finder on testing surface and slowly slide it sideways.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

    4. When stud edge is detected, the upper green indicator LED will turn on and “beep” sound will be generated                     continuously.  Press pin marker button to mark the spot.  Continue to move slowly in the same direction until the                 upper green LED is off and beeping stops.  Move in reverse to locate the other edge. Mark this spot again.  User can         now find the middle point for nailing or drilling.
   
IMPORTANT NOTES:
WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN TESTING

STEP  1.
    Install battery provided into Stud Finder
STEP 2.
    Turn Stud Finder ON
STEP 3.
    Locate and mark the outside edges of  (3)  studs in a row on the test wall.
STEP 4.
    Use red pen to mark the center point of each of the three studs.
STEP 5.
    Turn Stud Finder OFF
STEP 6.   
    Remove battery and place on table.

PLEASE ANSWER POST TEST QUESTIONS “Sheet B” AT THIS TIME.

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PRE-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE

SHEET A                        Subject # ____

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PRE -TEST QUESTIONNAIRE

1.    Gender:    M    F
2.    Age:        ______
3.    Have you ever used a stud finder to locate a stud in a wall or ceiling?  Yes / No
4.    Have you ever needed to use a stud finder to hang or secure something on a wall or ceiling?  Yes / No

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POST-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE

SHEET B                        Subject # ____

PLEASE COMPLETE THE POST-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE
    Please circle your response:

1.    Did you find the operating instructions for the Stud Finder to be accurate and understandable?
        1            2            3            4       
        most accurate                      least accurate
        and understandable             and understandable


2.     Was the Stud Finder comfortable to hold in your hand?
        1            2            3            4
        most comfortable               least comfortable

3.    Were you able to locate the studs on the test wall?
        a. all three                c. one of three
        b. two of three          d. none of three

4.    Would you be interested in owning a Stud Finder like the one tested today? Yes or No

5.    Additional comments:

    Again, I would like to thank you for participating in this research project.

                                                                            Kevin Goetz
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OBSERVATIONS CHECK LIST        SUBJECT #  ______

Step 1.    Reading of directions

    No difficulty      
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:
Step 2.    Install battery  

    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:                                                                       
Step 3.    Turn Stud Finder on

    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty


 Notes:
Step 4.    Locate and mark outside edges of 3 studs 
 
    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:
Step 5.    Use red pen to mark center point of 3 studs

    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:
Step 6.    Turn off Stud Finder

    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:
Step 7.    Remove battery

    No difficulty
    Some difficulty
    Much difficulty

 Notes:

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PRE-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS:

 1.    Gender
 2.    Age
 3.    Have you ever used a stud finder to locate a stud in a wall or ceiling?  Y/ N
 4.    Have you ever needed to use a stud finder in order to hang or secure something on a wall or ceiling? Y/ N

Subject # 
 Question #1 
 Question #2 
 Question #3 
 Question #4
1.
 Male
 19
 No
 No
2.
 Female
 14
 No
 No
3.
 Female
 12
 No
 No
4.
 Female
 42
 Yes
 Yes
5.
 Female
 44
 Yes
 Yes
6.
 Female
 42
 Yes
 Yes
7.
 Male
 51
 Yes
 Yes
8.
 Male
 16
 Yes
 Yes

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OBSERVATION CHECK LIST RESULTS
                      
Subject 1
 Had trouble with calibration, and first stud. "Marking pin is a waste"   "Getting battery out is the hardest part"
Subject 2
 Some difficulty installing battery, "I can't see the mark" Only marked one edge of stud, Unable to mark stud center
Subject 3
 Some difficulty installing battery,  "I can't see the mark" Only marked one edge of stud, Unable to mark stud center, Could not remove battery
Subject 4
 Only marked one edge of stud, " Marking thing doesn't work" Unable to mark stud center,  Difficulty removing battery
Subject 5
 Only marked one edge of stud,  Unable to mark stud center,  Difficulty removing battery
Subject 6
 Only marked one edge of stud, "I can't see the mark" Unable to mark stud center
Subject 7
 Difficulty reading on/off markings on stud finder, "Why would you want to make marks into the wall" Difficulty removing battery
Subject 8
 Had trouble with calibration, and first stud. "Does this marking button work"

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POST-TEST QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS:

  1.    Did you find the operating instructions for the stud finder to be accurate and understandable?  
                    1    2    3    4
                most            least
  2.    Was the stud finder comfortable to hold in tour hand?
                    1    2    3    4       
                most            least
  3.    Were you able to locate the studs on the test wall?
            a. all three    b. two of three    c. one of three    d. none of three
  4.    Would you be interested in owning a stud finder like the one tested today?  Y/ N
  5.    Additional comments: *   

Subject # 
 Question #1  
 Question #2 
  Question #3
Question #4
1.
 1
 1
 a.
 Yes
2.
 1
 1
 a.
 Yes
3.
 3
 2
 a.
 No
4.
 1
 1
 a.
 Yes
5.
 1
 1
 a.
 Yes
6.
 2
 1
 a.
 Yes
7.*
 1
 1
 a.
 Yes
8.
 2
 1
 a.
 Yes
         
 * Additional comments:  Better than the one I own now.

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DISCLAIMER
This usability test and web page are in no way associated with the NewellRubbermaid Company, owners of STRAIT-LINE or Ball State University in any way. This usability test was performed and submitted to meet partial fulfillment of the requirements for ITEDU 510.
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