Tree testing is a method designed to assess how well users can navigate a Website or Prototype’s content hierarchy. By presenting users with a simplified, hierarchical structure, it tests their ability to find specific items within that structure, revealing the clarity and usability of the navigation.
1. Controlled Environment:
Users interact with a stripped-down version of the content hierarchy, focusing purely on navigation without distractions.
2. Task-Centric Evaluation:
Users receive specific tasks (e.g., find a page or section), simulating real-life navigation challenges.
3. Assessing Findability:
Success rates on tasks show how easily users find content, highlighting navigation strengths and weaknesses.
4. Quantifiable Data Analysis:
Results generate clear metrics on task success, enabling data-driven navigation improvements.
5. Iterative Refinement:
Insights guide continuous updates to optimize the hierarchy for better findability and user satisfaction.
6. Combining with Recordings:
When paired with recordings, tree testing adds valuable qualitative context to the quantitative data.
7. Informing Information Architecture:
Helps align content structure with user expectations and mental models.
8. Enhancing User Experience:
Improves usability by reducing frustration and making exploration intuitive.
9. Continuous Optimization:
Regular testing keeps navigation up-to-date with evolving user needs.
Block Setup and Features
- Edit or customize the block title.
- Format instructions with Bold, Italic, Underline; insert YouTube, Vimeo, etc. media, bullet or numbered lists.
- Upload your tree structure via CSV file.
- Expand or collapse tree branches to review structure and progress. Helpful tips are included during setup.
Set Success Nodes (You can define which nodes (elements in the tree test) will be considered as successful endpoints for a task. This allows you to measure whether participants reached the intended destination in your tree structure).
Delete entire tree.
Shortcuts list (Add a list of shortcuts to help you navigate and manage your tree test more efficiently).
Settings:
- Mark block as required.
- Randomize the tree order for each tester.
- Option to show pages without a root node.
Logic Jumps
Redirect testers based on their behavior or choices within the block:
- Tester visited current block
- Time spent on block (greater than, equal to, or less than a set threshold)
- Destination selected (is / is not)
- First click source (is / is not)
Results and Analysis
- View number of testers who completed, dropped off, or skipped the block, plus average completion time.
- Analyze succeeded, failed, skipped, and dropped-off users with options for direct and indirect success breakdowns.
- Εxamine where participants clicked first
- Examine the paths users followed through the tree and how many took each exact path.
- Identify how many testers selected each node as the correct destination.
User Session & Study Insights
- Review block completion dates and times for each tester.
- Access tester details: country, OS, browser, and device type.
- Drill down into completion success, time spent, clicks, and block-specific data.
- Optional access to the Theater for Session Recordings or Video Shoots (if enabled).
Updated User Session Modal (as of Feb 2025):
- Left Panel: Participant stats (date, device, country), video playback, session metadata (session name, tester GUID, custom attributes, Prolific ID). Navigation between sessions is seamless.
- Right Panel: Participant responses, block data, stats, and screening answers (if applicable).
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