Data Gatherer/Note Taker

A data gatherer takes notes or classifies the expected critical activities and events of a test into coded categories. For example, if the participant is expected to access four screens during a test, each screen could be categorized with a different letter: A, B, C, or D. During the test, when the participant accesses a particular screen, page or module, the data gatherer need only record a letter for that action. At the same time, the data gatherer could also note the time in order to cross-reference with the video or audio recording,

unless he or she is using data logging software that is synchronized with the video recording.

Before the test the person who designs the test and the data gatherer

develop appropriate data gathering tools or devices. You can use simple Word files for entering long-hand notes that include pick lists that anticipate issues or cover specific data you want to collect. Or you can set up more elaborate data gathering tools in Excel, a database program, or some other logging application.

If you are recording sessions using Morae or other similar tools, you can configure the software to collect some types of data for you automatically.