Figure 2 .

Typical layout for an evaluation laboratory used for user interface and software evaluation (similar to the Mayo Usability Laboratory). Recording and monitoring equipment is managed from the control room. Cameras and microphones in the lab capture the computer screen as well as the participant’s actions and verbal observations. As noted in the diagram above, each participant sat in front of a computer, at a desk configuration similar to his or her normal work environment, and performed the scenarios outlined in the methods section. Participants in our study used the research web environment to identify information specified in 10 specific scenarios. To avoid bias, developers typically observe from an observation room and do not participate in the usability studies.