Around usability - Lightening talk

The Law of Diminishing Returns: Debunking the myth that you need an expensive lab and 50 participants to get data. Citing Jakob Nielsen's research which proves that testing with just 5 users uncovers 85% of usability problems, making testing accessible to any budget.

The "Think Aloud" Protocol: The single most effective tool in a researcher's kit. Asking users to verbalize their stream of consciousness ("I'm looking for the search bar...") reveals the why behind their confusion, not just the what.

Observation Over Opinion: Ignoring what users say they like ("I love this blue!") and focusing strictly on what they do ("Why can't I find the checkout button?"). Behavior never lies; opinions are often biased to be polite.

Hallway Testing: Advocating for "grab-and-go" testing. Validating a rough prototype or wireframe with a colleague or stranger in the hallway for 10 minutes creates a tighter feedback loop than waiting weeks for a formal study.