 Welcome to Usability Research Methods. In this module, we'll go over three of the most common types of usability research methods, including what they are, when to use them, and what type of feedback they can provide. The three usability research methods you'll learn about today include card sort, wire frames, and prototyping. As a user experience designer, you have access to a wide range of different research methods. During development, your websites and applications benefit from you using a number of different methods to get critical feedback from your users. Card Sort Card Sort testing uses paper cards and is one of the earliest types of usability research methods. Written on each one is a topic, phrase, or word, and participants organize the cards into categories, which helps determine your design or evaluate your website's information architecture. This tool allows you to build a website structure, decide what to put on your home page, and label categories and navigation tools. You can purchase all inclusive kits containing everything to quickly create paper card sort prototypes. While paper is convenient and inexpensive, it isn't a realistic mock-up and the testing needs to be facilitated in person. Wire Frames A wire frame is a two-dimensional illustration of a page's interface. This type of research method is usually done during the middle stages of development. While it doesn't typically include any styling, color, or graphics, it does help establish relationships between templates and pages. It also allows you to clarify consistent ways to display types of information, prioritize content by determining size and location, and determine intended functionality. Wire Frame software is much easier to use than traditional desktop software and offers tools specific to UXD. It enables you to create accurate representations of your project. Prototypes Prototypes are draft versions of your project and may be one of the final methods used to gain specific feedback about a draft version of your project. They range from paper drawings to click-through on-screen mock-ups. Prototypes allow you to refine functions or activities, test usability and web page functions, and resolve questions about placement, buttons, and links. UXD prototypes using GUIs, graphical user interfaces, provide flexibility and a short learning curve. They're designed to create lifelike prototypes with features including browser-based access, built-in collaboration, static and dynamic interaction, and exporting and reporting tools. In the end, you must choose the usability research method that fits your requirements. You should consider affordability, where you are in your project's development, and the method's ability to meet your project's needs. You have completed usability research methods. Thank you for watching.