Example pre-test script.

Hi, ____. My name is ____ ____, and I’m going to be walking you through this session. Before we get started, would you like any refreshments?

You probably already know, but let me explain why we have asked you to come here today. We are testing the current UMD web site to see what it’s like for people to use it.

I want to make it clear right away that we are testing the site, not you. You can’t do anything wrong here. In fact, this is probably the one place today where you don’t have to worry about making mistakes.

We want to hear exactly what you think, so please don’t worry that you’re going to hurt our feelings. We want to improve it, so we need to know honestly what you think.

As we go along, I’m going to ask you to think out loud, to tell me what’s going through your mind. This will help us. If you have questions, just ask. I may not be able to answer them right away, since we’re interested in how people do when they don’t have someone sitting next to them, but I will try to answer any questions you have when we are finished.

We have a lot to do, and I’m going to try to keep us moving, but we’ll try to make sure that it’s fun, too. You may have noticed the camera. With your permission, we’re going to videotape the computer screen and what you have to say. The video will be used to help us figure out how to improve the site. It also helps me, because I don’t have to take as many notes. If you would, I’m going to ask you to sign something for us. It simply says that we have your permission to tape you, but that it will only be seen by the people working on the project.

Do you have any questions before we begin?

Adapted from: Krug, Steve. Don't Make Me Think! A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, Que, 2000.