Computing and usability lab

Why do usability testing?


Usability testing will provide you with an independent analysis of how your website or software application is used by real-life users. You will get an in- depth view of how customers interact with your product. This can lead to improvements that can maximise the efficiency of your software, website or digital design.

How it works

We will work with you to establish clear objectives for your time in the lab. The usability team will develop test scenarios based on your user profiles, task analysis and system objectives. We can appoint suitable participants to take part in the testing.

Individual or group sessions can be run in various ways to best suit your project.

What will you get?

1st photo - gaze plot 1 user JPG

During live tests, you are able to observe participants interaction with the task scenarios. You can monitor mistakes made and take into account user comments made before, during and after the test.

Gaze plots (also known as heat maps), clearly show where the participant's eye has met the screen, showing you where the hot spots of your product are.
After the session, you will be provided with a report which will detail usability issues that were identified. The report will also make prioritised recommendations, supported by screen images and video clips that highlight these usability issues.

Our facility and other services

We use TechSmith’s Morae usability software and our facility allows up to four simultaneous tests to be recorded. This will record on-screen activity and calculate events such as mouse clicks and keystrokes. Clients are able to monitor these sessions live from the observation room.

In addition we have a Tobii eye tracker for individual on-screen eye tracking studies. This type of testing enables us to uniquely monitor exactly where participants look on a screen when given tasks to complete.

The suite is divided into an observation room and participant room, separated by a two-way mirror. An intercom system allows control of the test and communication with participants if required. This setup allows the rooms to be used for focus groups.

We can accommodate distant user research companies that may wish to use the facilities for their own studies. Our technicians will set up the laboratory at your request and also be available to supervise according to requirements on the day of testing.

Download the usability lab leaflet

For more details or to make a booking, please contact Mohammed Al-Husban:

Tel: 023 8201 3942


"I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the fantastic usability labs at Southampton Solent University. We used the labs to conduct eye tracking research for a major UK high street retailer, and we uncovered some amazing insight into fixation points on email and display advertising. Not only were the research/technician team extremely helpful in setting up and facilitating the research, but also provided great support in research planning and methodology." Adrian Durow, The ConversionArium

Cookies and Southampton Solent University


Hide this message