The University of Baltimore User Research Lab is a high-tech research laboratory specializing in human-centered research studies. Below is everything you need to know to utilize this cutting-edge resource.
hours and location |
What we DO |
UBalt Student Use |
Rental Information
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Images of the lab |
The User Research Lab is a high-tech research laboratory specializing in human-centered research studies. The lab is led by Kathryn Summers who has over 15 years of experience teaching interaction design and usability, designing and conducting research studies, and evaluating user interfaces.
The lab was designed as a teaching and research facility supporting students enrolled in the UBalt's Doctor of Science in Information and Interaction Design program, Master of Science in Interaction Design and Information Architecture program and various information design certificate programs.
In addition, the User Research Lab and research services can be rented by outside businesses and organizations seeking a professional environment and expert assistance for their studies. Rentals can be on a full-day or half-day basis.
The mission of the lab is to provide an environment for understanding the user experience in various contexts; to provide usability services to academic researchers, graduate students and businesses; and to contribute valuable research findings to the professional user research community.
The University of Baltimore
Academic Center, Suite 239
1420 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
Get directions and view the campus map.
The lab can be reserved for scheduled research between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
During a study, we bring participants into the User Research Lab and ask them to complete a series of tasks. We collect observational and performance data which are analyzed and used to make recommendations for product designs. Some of the data collected includes:
• task success and/or failure
• time to complete tasks
• number of steps to complete tasks
• user confusion with tasks
• product satisfaction
• product usefulness
• user eye movements (specific to computer-based testing).
Our testing room is outfitted with a 17-inch monitor integrated with the Tobii T60 Eye Tracking system, which collects participant eye gaze data during testing. The user's eye movements are sampled 60 times per second while they complete tasks. The Tobii Studio software allows researchers viewing the observation monitors to see exactly where the users are looking on the testing screen in real time.
Our laboratory is also outfitted with the Tobii X120 Mobile Device Testing Solution. It is designed to capture user eye movement in more flexible scenarios such as testing with smartphones, tablets and e-readers.
We evaluate websites and software for adherence to usability standards, accessibility, information architecture and aesthetics. Recommendations for improvement are made based on our analysis.
We routinely conduct other research activities that are coordinated and supervised by Kathryn Summers, the University of Baltimore's resident expert on user research and usability testing. Many of these other activities include, but are not limited to:
• card sorting
• image collaging
• contextual inquiry and field studies.
Students who have completed the Research Methods for Interaction Design course often have the opportunity to participate in industry projects in collaboration with Summers.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of our state-of-the-art lab facilities for their research.
Students can view the calendar for available lab times then complete and submit the Lab Request Form. All requests will be processed within 24-48 hours.
When scheduling, please plan to arrive half an hour before your first test and to remain 30 minutes to an hour after your final test. This time is needed to set up for participants before testing and back up recordings after testing.
At the close of every day of testing, you will need to back up your data. We recommend using a dedicated external hard drive. The lab does not have the ability to store your data and cannot guarantee its safety. Eye-tracking data takes up approximately 30 GB per hour of recording. Due to the large file sizes, your hard drive must be NTFS formatted.
The UBalt User Research Laboratory and research services can be rented on a full-day or half-day basis, enabling businesses and organizations to take advantage of cutting-edge research tools in a university applied research setting. The rental includes the assistance of a graduate student to set up and run the eye-tracking equipment. For further information and rates, please contact Kathryn Summers.
REQUEST LAB RESERVATION
User research ensures your intended audience can carry out tasks—such as purchasing items, identifying relevant information and communicating with appropriate parties—efficiently, effectively and satisfactorily. Therefore, user research can help your organization:
Our research services provide high-quality support for your user research needs.
The User Research staff, led by Professor Kathryn Summers provides support to complement your research needs. This may include:
* may incur additional costs to be negotiated separately
| Human Factors International | L’Oreal Mexico | MD State Board of Elections |
| Redish & Associates | U.S. Food and Drug Administration | Whitehouse.gov |
| National Cancer Institute | U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Public Debt | AstraZeneca |
| My Medicare Matters | PNC Bank | Department of Justice |
We've enjoyed using the usability lab at the University of Baltimore to test both PC- and browser-based games. It is conveniently located in the heart of Baltimore and has up-to-date equipment and recording software, and we really enjoy having the real-time eye-tracking capacity. The staff are professional and courteous, and we look forward to running many more studies in their lab.
We love working with the UBalt Usability Lab. They have the latest eye-tracking equipment and assistants who'll help you set up and analyze your test results. Their location next to Penn Station also makes it convenient for D.C.-area people. They're very professional, knowledgeable and friendly.
